Christ Episcopal Church was chartered in 1840. The first site of the church was on lower State Street, across from the Capitol. The present building was dedicated in 1868, “to the worship and service of Almighty God,” by Bishop Williams of the Diocese of Connecticut.
The exterior is 108' by 55'; the tower with its original spire rose 100 feet. The spire had to be removed in 1963 because the 1927 flood had caused sinking of the deep soil beneath the church. The Gothic structure (except for the roof and clerestory, is built of light granite from the nearby towns of Barre and Berlin. The present parish house—attached to the east side and set back from the front of the original building—was built in 1938. Its placement creates a courtyard that was dedicated in 1984 when the parish house was remodeled. This courtyard is used by the congregation and the community as a place to rest, eat lunch, and sometimes be entertained by local musicians and theater groups.
The church roof and interior were badly damaged by fire in 1903, and the 1927 flood required repairs costing $36,000—$6,000 more than the original cost of the building.
Today, as it has for over one hundred and fifty years, Christ Church provides liturgy, counseling, Christian education, human services, and cultural events for all of God’s people who live, work and visit in Montpelier and the surrounding area.
Social Concerns and Local Services
Tour of the
Church Building
