Original Facing

1934 Remodel

1878 with Wooden Pinnacles

A Newer Look (undated)

 

 

 

Christ Church- A Brief History of its Buildings

Welcome to Christ Church, St. Peter’s Parish. This parish was founded in 1692, and since those early days it has been an important part of the life of this county and town. A number of generations have worshipped here, and in each were to be found many faithful persons whose love and labors have tended both the need to maintain our place of worship and to reach out in care and concern for those in need in our community. This is a holy place, and we are glad you have come here. We invite you to take a few moments to read some of the history of this place and then to wander about it and enjoy its windows and furnishing, its beauty and holiness.

Christ Church is the fifth place of worship for the people of St. Peter’s Parish. It was built between 1840 and 1845 under the guidance of The Reverend Dr. Henry Michael Mason, who brought with him the architectural plan of William Strickland for a church, which had recently been erected in Salem, New Jersey.

The original structure, built of Port Deposit granite, consisted of the nave and the tower with its steeple. The doors were tripartite, with a straight lintel, so that the window was longer. At the top of the tower pinnacles on the corners added elegance to the fretwork at the base of the steeple.

On the inside, two windows, now in the organ chamber, filled the arches, which now hold doors. A solid wall stretched between them. All the other windows were diamond paned. The communion table stood on a platform, surrounded by a rail. The organ was in the gallery and the ceiling was plastered.

In 1874 Dr. Robert Wilson, then the rector, instigated the building of a transverse addition with an organ chamber, vestry room and chancel all as a memorial to Dr. Mason. The window over the altar, then fixed to the wall, was dedicated to him. A reredos along the wall was of tongue and groove with quatrefoil panels above. E. Francis Baldwin of Baltimore was the architect and the furnishings, most of which are still in place, were memorial gifts from parishioners. The chancel, strictly for clergy use, ended at the altar. The present pews with their poppy head finials were installed at that time. The work was completed by 1876.

In 1902-1903 the two memorial windows on the lectern side of the nave were installed. In 1915 the church was wired for electricity, the present chestnut ceiling put in place and the altar elevated to its present height. In 1939 the chancel was extended into the nave and the walnut reredos removed. The memorial window on the pulpit side was installed in 1943; the altar was moved forward in 1970. The organ screen above the door to the organ chamber was installed in 1986.

Dr. Mason is also responsible for construction of the rectory (located just to the west of the church), built in 1856. He arranged for it s building and financing independently of the vestry. Richard Upjohn (also architect of Trinity Church, Wall Street) supplied the plan.

The "first phase" of the Parish House began in 1898 with subscriptions from the parish and a gift from the children of Isaac Adkins. Its architect was T. H. Chequier of Baltimore. In 1951 a fire occasioned an addition of thirty-six feet to the west. A later addition to the south came in 1962. At the time, granite building blocks from the front facade of Ebenezer Methodist Episcopal Church were used to harmonize the new parts with the original Parish House.

The most recent structural renovation was to the Parish Hall in 1995-96. A new updated kitchen was added and the Day School was brought down to the first floor. The Parish Offices were then moved to the Rectory.

During the summer of 2004 the exterior woodwork of all of the buildings was painted and new gutters were installed on most areas. A skilled mason was hired to repoint the front facade of the Church and the "link" between the Church and the Parish Hall. Other changes were: new membrane flat roofs, various carpentry repairs, re-screening of the Rectory Porch and a new Church sound system.