The current Christ Church Parish Church located in Church Hill, Christ Church,

Barbados Barbados is an island country in the Lesser Antilles of the West Indies, in the Caribbean region of the Americas, and the most easterly of the Caribbean Islands. It occupies an area of and has a population of about 287,000 (2019 estimate). ...

was built in 1935 and is the fifth

parish church A parish church (or parochial church) in Christianity is the church which acts as the religious centre of a parish. In many parts of the world, especially in rural areas, the parish church may play a significant role in community activities, ...

on the site. At various times the previous structures have all been destroyed by natural disasters including flood, fire or hurricanes. The original Parish church structure was built in 1629 and was located near Dover Beach. In 1669 the church was destroyed by a flood, which scattered coffins and bones from the church cemetery across the beach. The next church constructed was destroyed in the hurricane of 1780. Another Parish Church was built in 1786 and was again destroyed by the 1831 hurricane. The new church was then destroyed by fire in 1935. The church is known for its churchyard which contains the notorious

Chase Vault The Chase Vault is a burial vault in the cemetery of the Christ Church Parish Church in Oistins, Christ Church, Barbados, best known for a widespread urban legend of "mysterious moving coffins". According to the story, each time the heavily se ...

, in which coffins have been said to mysteriously move around within the sealed vault. A detailed investigation by the

Governor of Barbados This article contains a list of viceroys in Barbados from its initial colonisation in 1627 by England until it achieved independence in 1966. From 1833 to 1885, Barbados was part of the colony of the Windward Islands, and the governor of Barbad ...

and members of his staff was made in 1820 but it offered no explanation and the coffins were eventually each buried separately after further recurrences. Today visitors are able to visit the vault at the church site.

External links

Christ Church Parish Church
- Official website
History of the Christ Church Parish ChurchThe Diocese of Barbados
(For the Parish of Christ Church) Christ Church, Barbados Churches in Barbados Religious buildings and structures in Barbados {{Barbados-struct-stub