Architecture

The history of the 1800’s and the history of Christ Church are intertwined. While there are many reasons to be proud of the founding of our church, there are also realities that we must not ignore. We must acknowledge the past, admitting that injustices were done. We continue as a faith community, continuing to grow into the people that God intends for us to be. You’ll see the connections at various places throughout this tour, and I’ll point out several of them.

The doors you entered are called the west doors even though they actually face south. In traditional Christian churches, the altar faces the east. When the Church location makes this orientation impossible, we call it the “liturgical east.” So the entrance facing the altar is the “liturgical west.”

Take a look around. You’re standing in the center aisle, in the section called the nave. There are two more aisles, one on either side of the pews. This, too, is typical Gothic architecture. The side aisles are separated from the pews by piers, or columns (the main support of the nave). Notice the stone baptismal font. This font was donated by a parishioner when the third church was built, and is one of the oldest objects in the parish.

Now, walk up the center aisle to the row of pews nearest the altar.