Christ Church still cares for those less fortunate, partly through the winter night shelter for the city's homeless.

It also continues its link with Lancaster Royal Grammar School whose boarders regularly attend services.

It's a legacy of which its founder, Lancaster MP, Samuel Gregson, would be proud.

"When the church was built, it represented the extremes of society and though the extremes are not quite as clear today, Gregson would recognise them, said vicar, Rev Phil Hudd.

When Gregson originally bought the land, funded the construction and endowed the church, it was to serve the inmates of the nearby workhouse. When the grammar school relocated from the castle area to its present site, he saw no reason why their pupils couldn't use the new chapel too.

"It was quite forward looking for the time to have poor house boys worshipping in the same church as the grammar school boys," Mr Hudd explained.

And both groups could enjoy the grandeur of their new church which was beautifully and richly decorated inside.

However, it is thought the architect, Henry Martin, never actually visited Lancaster to work on or see the Grade II listed church. It is understood he was inspired by the twin spires of St Katherine's Hospital Chapel in London's Regent Park – and this aspect of the church's design has helped it remain a landmark on Lancaster's skyline.

Christ Church was built using sandstone from nearby Scotch Quarry and Lake District slate. It cost around £3,000.

The church's consecration on September 23, 1857, was reported in detail by the Lancaster Gazette whose editor, E C Quarme also produced a beautifully illuminated and illustrated Victorian album to mark the occasion.

In Christ Church's early years, the Wyresdale Road area was pretty undeveloped and surrounded by woodland so functioned without a parish.
However, it continued to be well supported by the Gregson family and gained a reputation for good music thanks to the grammar school choir.

By 1873, housing development had increased the population and a parish was established.

The Rev Philip Bartlett was appointed first vicar and during his tenure, the south aisle was added; the Gregson Institute was created in memory of Henry Gregson, Samuel's brother and a great church stalwart; the daughter mission church was opened in Dale Street; and Christ Church Sunday and day schools were introduced.

Such was Mr Bartlett's importance to the church's development that when he died, a baptistry, designed by Lancaster firm Paley & Austin, was added in his memory.

The second vicar was one of Christ Church's most memorable characters.

Melbourne Ker Cooper had already been curate for 12 years when he took over at the helm in 1895 and he was to remain as vicar for a further 43 years.

He saw great world events change life forever for many of his parishioners.

Meanwhile at the church, he supervised the addition of nearly all the stained glass we see today – by the celebrated Lancaster firm of Shrigley and Hunt; the new pulpit, the relocation of the organ; and the opening of the Storey Chapel, a gift from church benefactor Edward Storey – warden there for 46 years.

So many people who were prominent in Lancaster's development as a city had links with Christ Church so it is perhaps unsurprising that a procession organised through the parish in 1957 to mark its centenary was so well supported.

As well as the main church and the 'iron church' in Dale Street, the parish also boasted a church in Ridge Lane which is now the Salvation Army building.

The parish serves Moorlands, Freehold, Ridge, Newton as well as the new estates of Standen Park and Standen Gate. Since Mr Hudd became vicar in 1999, almost 1,000 homes have been built in the area and with plans for many more on the former Nightingale Hall and Moor Hospital sites, the parish is set to grow.

Having a primary school linked to the church also helps boost numbers but Mr Hudd believes there is another significant reason why Lancaster's four Anglican churches can still claim strong attendances.

"For the past 30-50 years, each of the four churches has had a very different style of preaching and teaching. Christ Church has always been broadly high church and liberal."

Whatever the reason for its survival, today's parishioners have been celebrating Christ Church's 150th anniversary in style this year with a number of special events which culminated on Saturday with a Jacob's Join.

If you would like to know more about Christ Church, ring the Rev Phil Hudd on 01524 34430.