Christ Church was designed by William Hurst who was Mayor when the church was completed in 1829.

Once surrounded by green fields, now all developed. The copper-clad spire is a recent addition, it was rebuilt this last century.

The Christ Church story begins in 1821, when John Jarratt, a local businessman, donated money for the building of a new parish church.

Doncaster’s population at that time was expanding and many of the richer townspeople were settling in this area of Doncaster.

An Act of Parliament was passed in 1826 for the erection of Christ Church.

The site chosen for the church was some 2 acres of waste ground known as ‘The Sand Pits’, a former sand and gravel working used as a rope walk, a parish pinfold and a general drying ground for the wardrobes of Laith gate.

The foundation stone was laid on 9th October 1827 in a ceremony that took place after a procession through the town. Ladies could view the ceremony from a raised platform constructed especially for this purpose. The foundation stone itself is reported to be about six feet square with the inscription “Unless the Lord build the House, their labour is in vain.” At present the location of this stone in the building is unknown to us.

The Church was enlarged in 1856 by the construction of the chancel at the east end. This was designed by Sir Gilbert Scott, who also designed the rebuilt St George’s Church, now Doncaster Minster.

Continue uphill to Christ Church Terrace. noticing No. 5 which received a local Civic Trust Award for its sensitive restoration.

Built of orange rustic brick, with stone dressings, they are contemporary with the London three-storey terraced townhouses popular from the early 18th century. The raised ground floor comprises a dining room which is separated from the kitchen and service area by a central sky-lit staircase. Principal reception rooms occupy the first floor and bedrooms are above.

A similar block exists in Park Square, Leeds, and a wall plaque there states that such houses were designed and built for the occupation of “single professional gentlemen”.

Choose Your Media to Continue on the Trail

Cross over the road and approach the railings and gates piers at the south end of the church, which dates from 1844.

From the gates, turn right and walk around the church following the road.

On the right you will reach a row of terraced houses.

This is the number 4 to 9 ChristChurch terrace, the houses and railings date back to 1827, they were completed before the church was finished.

When they were built, they overlooked the vast Nether Hall Estate, once owned by the Copley Family.

Walking past the terraced houses, you will reach the Hall Cross School, which was once a grammar school built in 1869.

Beyond the school is Bass Terrace, these three storied buildings were built between 1851 and 1854 by the architect William Bass Sivell. The bay windows on the ground floor are Edwardian additions with the shopfront to the eastern house probably later.

Cross Thorne Road at the Hall Cross School gates and arrive at the top of Christ Church Road.

As you approach Christ Church Road, you can see a row of terraced houses to your left.

These three-storey terrace houses opposite Christ Church were named Herschel Terrace as their construction coincided with the centenary of the discovery of the planet Urranus by Sir William Herschel. He had been a frequent visitor to Nether Hall in his younger days.

When you have arrived at the top of Christ Church Road, click on the NEXT button at the foot of the page, to view more information about this street.