Anyone remember the spire on top of the church, I seem to remember that it was removed in the early 1950s because of its dangerous condition,it was done very neatly leaving just the tower which now looks like it has always been that way.

Originally Posted by Barrie

Anyone remember the spire on top of the church, I seem to remember that it was removed in the early 1950s because of its dangerous condition,it was done very neatly leaving just the tower which now looks like it has always been that way.

Yes Barrie I remember the spire on Christ Church. It was quite a landmark. I still lived in Southport in the 50's/early 60's so It just shows how observant I am. I didn't even know it had gone!!

If you look at some of the old pics in here you will see the spire. The pic of Lord Street shows I think 3 or 4 spires on it's length.

Christchurch How times have changed.One day in 1867 the bellringers began to ring the bells of Christchurch to announce the victory of the dog "lobelia"the winner of the Waterloo Cup.

another view...Mr ex more was once head choir boy.

Does anyone remember Christ Church School or when it was demolished? I took my 11-plus exam (though they didn't call it that then!) there in 1943. I remember having to climb a flight of cast-iron stairs to get to the classroom. And yes -- I passed!

hi blowick

the school is still there it closed 1971/2 everybody where sent to ainsdale high i left in 1962 place was like a dungeon big metal stair ways and very dark

There are some slides around the house of Christ Church circa 1950 - 1990 I will try and track down and scan.

The demolition of the old building is particually interesting.

Hi Blowick/Traveller, I went to christ church from 1955 to 1961 & remember the metal staircase well, My first year was on the ground floor where we used to do P.E. and have dinner in the same hall. The climb up them stairs was frightening when you was sent to the heads office on the top floor for punishment.

This is how Christ Church looked in the 1850s.... no spire then either!

Great photo that. Well done. It's certainly an eye opener that's for sure.

Here's a potted history taken from the book "Southport" by Philip Mayer and George Openshaw.

Originally Posted by The Traveller

hi blowick

the school is still there it closed 1971/2 everybody where sent to ainsdale high i left in 1962 place was like a dungeon big metal stair ways and very dark

I was there when it closed, and was one of the kids shipped off to ainsdale school, I thought christ chuch was quite cool

keeno your right,been there.Thanks for reminding me.

Come on MG MAN

Originally Posted by The Traveller

hi blowick

the school is still there it closed 1971/2 everybody where sent to ainsdale high i left in 1962 place was like a dungeon big metal stair ways and very dark

The school closed in 1974 - I left aged 16. My last memories include having to use the public toilets on Lord Street as the pupils had 'demolished' the school ones.

Originally Posted by keeno

Hi Blowick/Traveller, I went to christ church from 1955 to 1961 & remember the metal staircase well, My first year was on the ground floor where we used to do P.E. and have dinner in the same hall. The climb up them stairs was frightening when you was sent to the heads office on the top floor for punishment.

Hi Keeno.
Just found this page Iwas at Christ Church 1957/1962 i was the lad
who had to walk with crutches because i had bad hips.Now new hips fitted.

How nostalgic for me to find this mention of Christ Church School. I attended CC for three years, from 1942 to 1944. I have nothing but happy memories of my time there.

Christ Church School ... Big building at the back of the church and at the side entrance of Boots, used to be a cake shop and jjb sports took over part of it, not been for a while so don't know what's there now.

Horrible time there ... 1963-67 ... Cast Iron stairs all the way to the top (where the headmaster lay in wait, cane at the ready!). Didn't like it there at all (or maybe I was just thick?).

Football/Games in the playground, sorry, graveyard(!) ... smelly discusting Victorian Toilets ... Smoker's corner behind them ... I lived the nearest to the school and yet they're making a film now of how I managed to be late so often!!! Johnny Depp's playing the part of me!!!

Those who were there, here's a few teacher's names to frighten the pants off you ... Ashworth (RE Teacher with all the porn novels!); "Taffy" Christian (PE Teacher); Norman Exley (PE?); Franny Winfield (French, Pop's Fancy Bit); "Pop" Pearson (?); Frank Sell (Tech Drawing); Whitehead (Science); Neal????? (Geography); "Floppy" Freear (Art). Sure there's more (and/or mistakes in there).

Got some pictures of the choir (ahem!) and some others taken on trips ... Geoff Goulbourne, Steve Jenkins, Ian Miles, Chris Watson, Michael English ... and more, will try and put them on here.

By the way, if you're wondering who I am ... if you were there 66-67 you may recall one young lad going arse over tit down a mountain in the Lake District (head first) on a school trip??? Well, that was me!

Rod Bleackley