Christchurch, Cressage
The placename Cressage or Christache (Christ's Oak) is of Saxon origin and referred to a sacred oak tree probably growing where the War memorial stands today around which the earliest settlement developed. The tree was later replaced by a cross and still later by a market cross that was removed in the lifetime of Revd J B Blakeway (1765-1826).
Some writers have assumed that Cressage was the place recorded by the Venerable Bede when he comments on the mission of St Augustine to the leaders of the British/Celtic church in 603. He writes 'Meanwhile, with the aid of King Ethelbert, Augustine summoned the bishops and teachers of the nearest British province to a conference at a place still known to the English as Augustine's Oak which lies on the border of the Hwiccas and the West Saxons. He began by urging them to establish brotherly relations with him in Catholic unity, and to join with him in God's work of preaching the gospel to the heathen. However, the Hwiccas occupied a tribal area in southern Worcestershire and the author understands that the connection with Cressage was based upon some hearsay antiquarian evidence collected in the 19th century. There is no proof of such a meeting taking place in Cressage and today scholars believe that the meeting was held further south.
The first written evidence of a purpose-built church in Cressage is in 1135 when the Lord of the Manor, William Peveral, granted it to Hatfield Peveral, a priory in Essex. This probably included the titheable income and advowsan (that is the right to appoint the clergy). The first mention of a resident priest was in 1232 when the church was most likely a wooden structure.
The ancient church in Cressage was a chapelry of Cound and dedicated to St Sampson. A position close to the river made it liable to flooding and in 1841 it was replaced by this present building on the main Shrewsbury Road where services are no longer regularly held.
The Wenlock Team has made Christ Church CofE Primary School as its focus for mission and outreach under the pastoral supervision of The Revd Lisa Harper (Team Vicar) and The Reverend Sam Rigby (Curate).
Following extensive public consultation before and after The Covid Pandemic due to the Parish Church having no church officers, the following draft scheme for the future of the building and pastoral care of the parish is proposed by the Diocese of Hereford and The Church Commissioners.
No regular services are held.
