Christ Church (Alexandria, Virginia) facts for kids
|
Christ Church
|
|
North Columbus Street facade (2021)
|
|
 Location in Alexandria Historical District
Location in Alexandria
Location in Northern Virginia
Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 118 North Washington Street, Alexandria, Virginia |
|---|---|
| Built | Completed February 27, 1773 |
| Architect | James Wren |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000899 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
|
| Added to NRHP | May 10, 1970 |
| Designated NHL | April 15, 1970 |
Christ Church is a very old and important Episcopal church in Alexandria, Virginia. It was built as the main church for the Church of England's Fairfax Parish. The building was designed by Colonel James Wren, who was related to the famous architect Sir Christopher Wren.
Many important people have been members of Christ Church. These include George Washington, Henry Lee, and Robert E. Lee. For a long time, it was a tradition for sitting United States presidents to attend a service here. On January 1, 1942, during World War II, Franklin Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and Eleanor Roosevelt visited the church. They came to mark the World Day of Prayer for Peace. The church was first called Fairfax Church. It got the name Christ Church in 1816. In 1970, it was named a National Historic Landmark. This means it is a place of special historical importance.
Contents
About Christ Church
_-_DSC03515.JPG)
Christ Church is in Alexandria's Old Town. It is at the corner of North Washington and Cameron Streets. The church is made of brick and is about 60 feet (18 meters) long and 50 feet (15 meters) wide. It has special stone corners called quoins. These stones came from a nearby quarry. The roof is a simple sloped design. Some parts of the church, like the galleries, bell tower, and porch, were added later. These additions were made around 1785 and 1815.
Building the Church
The church was built by a group of Anglican worshippers. This group started in 1765 when Fairfax Parish was created. They decided to build two churches. One was Christ Church in Alexandria. The other was a church in Falls Church. Colonel James Wren designed both buildings.
To pay for the church in Alexandria, the members donated tobacco. They raised over 31,000 pounds of Oronoco tobacco. Construction started in 1765. James Parsons was in charge of the building work. After four years, the church was still not finished. So, Parsons was replaced. John Carlyle took over the job. He finally handed the keys to the completed church in February 1773.
Christ Church Through History
During the Revolutionary War, Christ Church was a place where people supported independence. Its leader, David Griffith, spoke out strongly for freedom. After the war, the Church of England was no longer the official state church in Virginia. But Christ Church survived because its members, like George Washington, supported it.
The church is special because its inside was not damaged during the Civil War. However, Union soldiers did use the church. Most of the old gravestones were lost during the war. The church's silver was also taken. After the Civil War, in 1869-1870, Christ Church started Meade Memorial Chapel. This was a new church in the north part of Alexandria.
Inside the Church
When the church was first built, it had box pews. These were like small enclosed boxes where families sat. There was also a tall, two-level pulpit. At first, there was no baptism font. Weddings and baptisms usually happened at home back then.
In the mid-1800s, stoves were added to heat the church. The box pews were changed into the open seats you see today. Later, the original pulpit was replaced with the current one. The only original hand-carved hymnal rack is in the pew where the Lee family sat. The front of the church has special plaques. These plaques show the Decalogue (Ten Commandments), the Lord's Prayer, the Apostles' Creed, and the Golden Rule. These plaques are original and were painted by James Wren.
Churchyard Burials
The churchyard is a burial ground. It includes a mass grave for 34 Confederate soldiers. These soldiers were prisoners of war who died in local hospitals during the Civil War. A special stone in the churchyard remembers them.
Other important people buried here include:
- Charles Simms and Philip Marstellar: They were two of the people who carried George Washington's coffin.
- Anne Warren: A famous English actress.
- Henry Fowler.
- William Ramsay: Known as one of the founders of Alexandria.
In 2017, the church decided to move plaques honoring George Washington and Robert E. Lee. These plaques used to be inside the main worship area. They were moved to a public space on the church grounds. The church leaders felt the plaques were a "distraction" in the worship space. They also wanted to make sure the church felt welcoming to everyone.
See also
