Christ Church Detroit is an Episcopal church located at 960 East Jefferson Avenue in Detroit, Michigan. It is also known as Old Christ Church, Detroit. It is the oldest Protestant church in Michigan still located on its original site.Eric J. Hill, John Gallagher, American Institute of Architects Detroit Chapter
''AIA Detroit,'' Wayne State University Press, 2002, , p. 230 It was designated a Michigan State Historic Site in 1970 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.

History

Brothers Robert (Jr.) and William Stead ran a wholesale grocery business at the present site of Christ Church until the year 1844.Paul Leake
''History of Detroit,'' The Lewis Publishing Company, 1912, p. 1198 Christ Church Detroit was founded by a group of Episcopalians in 1845, who decided that St. Paul's Church (now St. Paul's Cathedral) was too crowded.Christ Church Detroit
history page The founders built a small wooden church, designed by Lieutenant

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, as its first place of worship. Fifteen years later, plans were laid for a new building on the same site.Nola Huse Tutag and Lucy Hamilton
''Discovering Stained Glass in Detroit,'' Wayne State University Press, 1988, , p. 49 In 1861, a chapel was constructed near the original structure for use while a larger church was constructed. The present church, designed by Gordon W. Lloyd, was completed in 1864.

Construction

The church is built in an

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style, using limestone and sandstone; a massive belfry with a squared-off Germanic roof dominates the front facade. The interior boasts transepts with galleries and hammerbeam trusses supporting the roof. All interior woodwork, save the roof, is made from local butternut. There are two

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windows in the church, with more windows designed by other famous glass companies such as

Franz Meyer and Company Franz may refer to: People * Franz (given name) * Franz (surname) Places * Franz (crater), a lunar crater * Franz, Ontario, a railway junction and unorganized town in Canada * Franz Lake, in the state of Washington, United States – see Fran ...

and

J. Wippell and Co. ''J. The Jewish News of Northern California'', formerly known as ''Jweekly'', is a weekly print newspaper in Northern California, with its online edition updated daily. It is owned and operated by San Francisco Jewish Community Publications In ...

Current use

The Christ Church building has been continuously by an Episcopalian congregation since its construction. The current Rector is the Rev. Emily Williams Guffey. The congregation describes themselves as "a contemporary, well-educated, multi-racial, multi-ethnic congregation carrying out Christ's mission in the world around us, strengthened, nurtured, and guided by the presence of the Holy Spirit." The next-door Sibley House serves as offices.

Gallery

Christ Church Detroit 1899.jpg, Christ Church in 1899 Christ Church Detroit 1934.jpg, Christ Church in 1934

References

External links

Christ Church Detroit website
{{Religious landmarks in metropolitan Detroit Churches in Detroit Episcopal church buildings in Michigan Churches completed in 1863 19th-century Episcopal church buildings Michigan State Historic Sites in Wayne County, Michigan Churches on the National Register of Historic Places in Michigan National Register of Historic Places in Detroit Gothic Revival church buildings in Michigan