Christ Church, Isle of Dogs

About Christ Church, Isle of Dogs

If you live in the Church of England Parish of the Isle of Dogs, or if Christ Church is your usual place of worship, or if you can prove a historical family link with the church you have a right to be married here.

Christ Church is an old, but not an ancient church. It is a Grade 2* listed building, of great importance for the heritage of East London It was built in the 1850s in an older gothic style. It has a beautiful interior, with carved polished oak screens, and a honey-coloured woodblock floor which brings light and warmth into every corner of the church. There are lots of interesting features for your guests to take in while they are waiting for the service to begin. The whole church is imaginatively lit, and we can change the brightness of every light to give the effect that you want for your wedding. The lighting can give very natural looking levels of bright, warm light on the dullest day.

Fr. Tom Pyke is the Parish Priest or Vicar at Christ Church. He has worked in 2 parishes, as a chaplain to a modern university and as a Reservist Chaplain for the Royal Navy. He enjoys working with marriage couples, and they find him open, friendly and helpful.

Revd Unesu Chindabata is Curate at Christ Church. She is from Zimbabwe, but has worked for many years before ordination as a community nurse in Hackney. Unesu is warm and full of fun.

Getting married is one of the biggest steps you’ll take in life. There are some things about marrying in church that make that big moment extra special:

- A church wedding will add a spiritual dimension to your marriage. God’s blessing is the main attraction for many couples, whatever their beliefs.

- For some people, a church simply seems like the proper place to get married. Churches can be described as 'peaceful', 'serene', or having an atmosphere that makes marrying there a particularly special experience.
- You make meaningful marriage vows, or promises, in a church. These vows, made in public, will help you to stay together and grow together.
- The Vicar has a very particular role to play in your wedding. They can blend classic traditions with a contemporary tone to reflect your story. Because of the relationship with the Vicar, your wedding can be made personal, memorable, meaningful and beautiful. You can be involved in making choices about your ceremony.
- Church buildings offer outstanding beauty. Old or new, intimate or grand, the Uk's 16,000 churches are some of the nation’s most stunning wedding venues, with two-thirds being listed buildings. Church buildings offer centuries of history. You can feel you’re becoming part of history itself by marrying in the same place as your relatives.

You do not need to have been christened and you do not need to be a regular church-goer to choose a church wedding. If you're worried that you may not qualify for a church wedding, then we can help assuage your fears. Simply get in touch and we'll be able to advise you.