In the mid-19th century, the country between Chertsey and Woking contained only small groups of cottages associated with large estates such as Ottershaw Park. These hamlets gradually developed into the present commuter village of Ottershaw. Originally Ottershaw was in the ancient parish of Chertsey, but in 1857 the new parish of Addlestone was formed. This included Ottershaw until 1865 when it became a separate parish.

The church is not in the middle of the village, as many older parishes are, but it can be seen on its hill from all directions and gives a visible focus to the spiritual and social life of the neighbourhood.

The Church Building
Christ Church Ottershaw was the gift of one man, Sir Thomas Edward Colebrooke (1813-1890) who came to live in Ottershaw in 1859. He provided sufficient land from his estate for a church, churchyard and vicarage, paid all the construction costs and endowed the church with £100 per year.

The church was designed in the studio of Sir Gilbert Scott and was consecrated in 1864. The original building had no tower, only a spire: the present tower, with spire above and the peal of six bells, was added in 1885-1886, the gift of Edward Gibb esq. The tower clock is a memorial to the Rev. Baron Hichens, 1881-1902.

By the time of the Church Centenary, more space was needed. The New Vestry was built in 1969-1970 and the Parish Centre in 1989.

In October 1994 a fire occurred behind the organ in the chancel. An imaginative restoration scheme, completed for Easter 1996, involved the re-siting of the restored organ and choir stalls on a new gallery built in the West Tower and the formation of a tiny chapel off the Chancel. An alternative, portable altar was introduced and the communion rails were made movable. The heating, lighting and sound systems were renewed and the church clock was finally electrified. Some of the original Victorian wall tiles, whitewashed over since 1936, were restored during the redecoration.

Windows
The Nave and Chancel windows were designed by the great ecclesiastical artist Charles Eamer Kempe (1837-1907) and were installed in 1901, replacing the original plain glass. They contain several examples of Kempe's signature, a tiny wheatsheaf. The Chancel windows, depicting saints, were provided by private subscriptions and are dedicated to the Rev. John Otter (died 1899), Marguerite Humphrey (died 1895) and Marie Celeste, the first wife of James Hora (died 1875 - see Hora brass). The seven Nave windows are a memorial to Sir Edward and Lady Colebrooke, who died in 1890 and 1896 respectively. Each window contains one or two figures of saints or biblical characters with a biblical event portrayed underneath. The Nave windows also contain the Colebrooke coat of arms and have the following memorial bidding in Latin:

Remember before God Thomas Edward Colebrooke, 4th Baronet, Founder of this Church, and Elizabeth Margaret his wife AD 1900. Loved Children to loved parents.

The West wall of the Tower contains a rose window and two lancet windows (now hidden by the gallery). They probably date from the building of the Tower in 1885-1886, as does the small chapel window which was originally in the South wall of the Tower. The roundels of the rose window contain the symbols of the Evangelists, and several symbolic creatures: the pelican, lion, lamb and dove.

The East window, now hidden from inside view by the Reredos, contains stained glass depicting the Ascension and probably dates from 1864 when the church was built.

Reredos
This striking altar piece was also designed by Kempe. Installed in 1901, it was made by the firm of Norman and Burt incorporating wooden figures carved in Oberammergau. The three central panels depict the Annunciation, the Crucifixion and Resurrection and are surrounded by saints and angels. In 1982, two figures of saints were stolen by church art thieves, but excellent replicas were made by a local woodcarver, Mr John Tasker, working from photographs.

Pulpit and Font
The pulpit, of carved oak on a stone base, is an original feature of the church, as is the octagonal stone font which until 1996 was situated just in front of the West Tower.

Screens
By 1900, two fine carved oak screens had been installed in the chancel and the West End of the church, but they were removed in 1973 and 1981 respectively in order to open up the church. Part of the former West screen is now incorporated in the chapel.

Organ
This fine 2-manual Walker organ was originally installed in 1867 in the North side of the chancel. Badly damaged by the fire, it was completely restored by Walkers in 1996 and rebuilt on the new gallery. Most of the instrument is original and it was hand-blown until 1947 when an electric blower was installed. Experts have described it as 'a splendid example of mid-19th century organ building', with 'pleasing tonal qualities'.

Paintings
The four large Nave paintings of St Matthew and St Mark (North wall) and St Luke and St John (South wall) were acquired probably about 1886. Painted on mahogany panels, they are probably the work of Herbert Wilson, who exhibited at the Royal Academy 1864-1876. Each painting was given in memory of a relation of a parishioner prominent in the 1880s.

The three angel paintings in the Chancel are also on wooden panels and are almost certainly Victorian, but the artist is unknown.

Wall Memorials
These are many and varied. The most recent (1988) is near the chapel and former site of the organ and records the devoted service to Christ Church of Sidney Powell, organist and choirmaster for over forty years.

Previous vicars, John Roberts Oldham and Baron Hichens, are commemorated by plaques above the Vicar's stall and in the South-West corner respectively. The gift of the Tower and Bells is recorded on a plaque in the North-West corner and the dedication of the reredos is inscribed on a brass near the hymn board.

The North wall has two marble memorials. One commemorates Reginald Brabazon, 12th Earl of Meath, who with the Countess built Chaworth House and founded Meath School and the infant school in Brox Road. The second commemorates Ottershaw School (1948-1980), a boys' boarding school which had close links with Christ Church.

The South wall memorials are to various individuals connected with this church and are self-explanatory. The most unusual memorial is the Hora Brass in the South-West corner. It quotes meticulous details from the will of James Hora (1826-1917) regarding two bequests: for the care of his first wife's grave (with details of permitted and forbidden flowers!) and for provisions for the sick poor of the parish. It makes fascinating, albeit difficult, reading.

Walking through the South door you enter the Parish Centre, evidence of an active and growing church, and leaving through the churchyard you pass two further memorials:

War Memorial
The Memorial Cross was erected after the 1914-18 war. The surrounding Garden of Remembrance was created to commemorate those who died in the 1939-1945 war and their names were added to the Cross.

Lych Gate
This fine gate was erected by parishioners and friends in memory of the Rev. John Roberts Oldham, regarded as the first Vicar. He retired in 1881, having served Christ Church since 1865, the year after the consecration of Sir Edward Colebrooke's new church.

If you are interested in visiting the Church, feel free to print out this page or pick up a copy of the written leaflet in the porch. We hope you will enjoy the architecture, contents and above all the atmosphere.

Thank you for your interest and please pray for the continuing work of the Church in Ottershaw.