We are glad you’re here. At Christ Episcopal Church you will find a joyful, friendly community committed to growing spiritually and serving the community. We also just like to have fun together! We appreciate our history and tradition, but we are not afraid to try new things.
Christ Church is the oldest Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Alabama. We were founded in 1828, and we have worshiped here ever since. In 1831, the University of Alabama held charter ceremonies here. Additions and changes to the church building have taken place over the years: in 1882 the building was enlarged and remodeled from Greek Revival to Gothic Revival style, and the bell tower was added. Thirty-five stained glass windows add colorful inspiration to the buildings on the property: seventeen in the main church, eight in the music hall, six in the chapel, four in the narthex and a domed ceiling in the chancel. A new pipe organ (Létourneau Op. 132) was installed in 2018.
We are also home to the Alabama Choir School and the Christ Episcopal Preschool.
In the Episcopal Church, the vestry is the legal representative of the parish with regard to all matters pertaining to its corporate property. The number of vestry members and the term of office varies from parish to parish. Vestry members are usually elected at the annual parish meeting. The presiding officer of the vestry is the rector. There are usually two wardens. The senior warden leads the parish between rectors and is a support person for the rector. The junior warden often has responsibility for church property and buildings. A treasurer and a secretary or clerk may be chosen. These officers may or may not be vestry members. The basic responsibilities of the vestry are to help define and articulate the mission of the congregation; to support the church’s mission by word and deed, to select the rector, to ensure effective organization and planning, and to manage resources and finances.
Christ Episcopal Church is the oldest Episcopal church in northern Alabama, founded in 1828.
