Christ Church began as a part of the small town circuit visited by the Rev. Samuel Johnson, rector of Christ Episcopal Church, Cincinnati in the 1820's. However, the congregation which would become known as Christ Church did not hold regular services until 1854, the date the congregations looks to as its founding.
In 1848, a small group of Episcopalians became the nucleus for a mission named Christ Church. On September 5, 1854, The Rev. Peter Neff conducted a first service of Holy Communion here. Services were later discontinued, and the mission languished until 1867 when it was reestablished under the name Church of the Advent. In 1870 the parish was officially renamed Christ Church, and was incorporated as such in 1893.
(image scan courtesy of anonymous donor)
Many clergy served the congregation during its early years. In 1878 The Rev. Stewardson became the first full time Rector, drawing plans for the current edifice, which cost about $8000. The architecture is early English Gothic, based on a church in Trowbridge, England. The building is stone, and the wood used for pews was native to Greene County. The original Altar, pulpit, pews, and other furnishings were Early English and were stained black. The original stained glass windows above the Altar depicted Christ's Ascension. These windows were destroyed in the 1974 tornado. The face of Jesus Christ in the new (1998) Rose Window above the altar is the only remaining piece of stained glass left from the wreckage. Fortunately, the original windows on the liturgical "west wall" remain intact.
During the early 20th century the church had a regular priest for only five and a half years. The Rev. Deacon Carl Nybladh began as a part-time temporary in 1921. Working for little compensation, Nybladh is credited with sustaining the congregation during his 21 years here. In order that the congregation might have Easter communion, The Rt. Rev. Henry Hobson, Bishop of the Diocese of Southern Ohio, began in 1928 celebrating Easter communion at Christ Church, a tradition that continued until 1939.
Several priests served as rector during the 1940's and 50's. The Rev. John Karsten became rector in 1960. With his service came a surge of social activism, which would impact the church's ministry for years to come. When Karsten left in 1966, the Xenia Gazette heralded him as "Xenia's White Civil Rights Minister." In 1967, during rector David McCoy's tenure, the sexist language in worship was altered to comply with the new awareness of the Diocese of Southern Ohio. The use of alternative language for worship is continually updated to this day. The thrust of the congregation's ministry continues to be defined by the church's relevance to society. An example of this is the Fish Pantry, a significant outreach program established at Christ Church in 1976. Having outgrown our physical space, the congregation continues to support this ministry on a regular basis through volunteers and donations.
The 1990's work of rejuvenating the current building proceeded under the direction of The Rev. Richard Watson. Watson spearheaded major improvements, literally, at times, rolling up his sleeves and mounting a ladder. The Rev. Pamela Gaylor served as the parish's first female rector from November 2001 through June 2009. As of 2011, Christ Church Xenia has contracted with a priest-in-charge, the Reverend Dr. Lynn Sinnott.
Within the context of the tenets of our faith the mission of Christ Church is ever changing to reflect our changing society. The current mission statement is: Christ Episcopal Church Xenia values contemplation, meditation, and proclamation of the Gospel through Spirituality, Worship, Fellowship, and Outreach. That mission is today carried out be a diverse group of people from throughout Greene County and the Dayton area. We invite you to join us in this ministry and mission in the name of Jesus Christ.
In 1848, a small group of Episcopalians became the nucleus for a mission named Christ Church. On September 5, 1854, The Rev. Peter Neff conducted a first service of Holy Communion here. Services were later discontinued, and the mission languished until 1867 when it was reestablished under the name Church of the Advent. In 1870 the parish was officially renamed Christ Church, and was incorporated as such in 1893.
(image scan courtesy of anonymous donor)
Many clergy served the congregation during its early years. In 1878 The Rev. Stewardson became the first full time Rector, drawing plans for the current edifice, which cost about $8000. The architecture is early English Gothic, based on a church in Trowbridge, England. The building is stone, and the wood used for pews was native to Greene County. The original Altar, pulpit, pews, and other furnishings were Early English and were stained black. The original stained glass windows above the Altar depicted Christ's Ascension. These windows were destroyed in the 1974 tornado. The face of Jesus Christ in the new (1998) Rose Window above the altar is the only remaining piece of stained glass left from the wreckage. Fortunately, the original windows on the liturgical "west wall" remain intact.
During the early 20th century the church had a regular priest for only five and a half years. The Rev. Deacon Carl Nybladh began as a part-time temporary in 1921. Working for little compensation, Nybladh is credited with sustaining the congregation during his 21 years here. In order that the congregation might have Easter communion, The Rt. Rev. Henry Hobson, Bishop of the Diocese of Southern Ohio, began in 1928 celebrating Easter communion at Christ Church, a tradition that continued until 1939.
Several priests served as rector during the 1940's and 50's. The Rev. John Karsten became rector in 1960. With his service came a surge of social activism, which would impact the church's ministry for years to come. When Karsten left in 1966, the Xenia Gazette heralded him as "Xenia's White Civil Rights Minister." In 1967, during rector David McCoy's tenure, the sexist language in worship was altered to comply with the new awareness of the Diocese of Southern Ohio. The use of alternative language for worship is continually updated to this day. The thrust of the congregation's ministry continues to be defined by the church's relevance to society. An example of this is the Fish Pantry, a significant outreach program established at Christ Church in 1976. Having outgrown our physical space, the congregation continues to support this ministry on a regular basis through volunteers and donations.
The 1990's work of rejuvenating the current building proceeded under the direction of The Rev. Richard Watson. Watson spearheaded major improvements, literally, at times, rolling up his sleeves and mounting a ladder. The Rev. Pamela Gaylor served as the parish's first female rector from November 2001 through June 2009. As of 2011, Christ Church Xenia has contracted with a priest-in-charge, the Reverend Dr. Lynn Sinnott.
Within the context of the tenets of our faith the mission of Christ Church is ever changing to reflect our changing society. The current mission statement is: Christ Episcopal Church Xenia values contemplation, meditation, and proclamation of the Gospel through Spirituality, Worship, Fellowship, and Outreach. That mission is today carried out be a diverse group of people from throughout Greene County and the Dayton area. We invite you to join us in this ministry and mission in the name of Jesus Christ.
(image courtesy of Dayton Daily News images and Wright State University Libraries Special Collections and Archives)