Christ Church (Greenville, South Carolina) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Christ Church (Episcopal) and Churchyard
Christ Church Episcopal in 1934
Religion
Affiliation	Episcopal Church in the United States of America
District	Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina
Leadership	Harrison McLeod, Rector
Year consecrated	1854
Status	active
Location
Location	10 N. Church St., Greenville, South Carolina
State	South Carolina
Architecture
Architect(s)	McCullough, Rev. John Dewitt
Architectural type	Church
Architectural style	Gothic Revival
Groundbreaking	1852
Completed	1854 (current church building)
Specifications
Length	109 ft (33 m)
Width	96 ft (29 m)
Width (nave)	39 ft (12 m)
Height (max)	65 ft (20 m)
Spire(s)	1
Spire height	104.67 ft (31.9 m)
Materials	Brick with stone and stucco trim
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Added to NRHP	May 06, 1971
NRHP Reference no.	71000784
Website
http://www.ccgsc.org/

Christ Church (Episcopal) is an Episcopal church located in Greenville, South Carolina, United States. It was officially opened in 1854. The church and its yard are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are important historical sites. Christ Church is the oldest religious group and has the oldest church building still standing in Greenville.

History of Christ Church

How the Church Started

In March 1820, a religious leader named Reverend Rodolphus Dickerson started a small church group called St. James Mission. This was in the village of Greenville Court House. In 1825, Vardry McBee, a local businessman who owned factories, gave about 4 acres (1.6 hectares) of land for the church.

The first stone of the church, called the cornerstone, was placed on September 15, 1825. This brick church was 55 feet (17 meters) long and 30 feet (9.1 meters) wide. The very first church service was held on June 18, 1826. The church then became known as Christ Church Parish. It joined the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina. A "diocese" is a church area led by a bishop.

Building the Current Church

By 1845, the church members wanted a new, bigger building. Joel Poinsett, who was a church leader, drew up some plans. But these plans were too fancy and expensive, so building was put on hold. Poinsett later passed away.

Then, Reverend John D. McCollough stepped in. He was a skilled builder who had designed and built many churches in upstate South Carolina. He created the final plans and oversaw the construction of the new church. The cornerstone for this new building was laid on May 29, 1852. Inside a sealed copper box in the cornerstone, they placed religious books and church papers.

Church Design and Features

The main part of the brick Gothic church, called the nave, was originally 80 feet (24 meters) long and 39 feet (12 meters) wide. It had five tall, narrow windows on each side. The west end of the church featured five narrow stained glass windows. There was also a round art glass window showing the Holy Trinity (God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).

The chancel, which is the area around the altar, had three windows. These windows showed Christ, St. John, and St. Peter. The ceiling inside the church was very tall, reaching 65 feet (20 meters). The brick bell tower stands about 104.67 feet (31.903 meters) tall from its base to the cross on top. The church was officially opened on September 29, 1854.

Changes Over Time

Over the years, the church has been updated. In 1875, a balcony was added. In 1880, a south transept was built. A "transept" is a part of a cross-shaped church that sticks out on the sides.

In 1914, the three chancel windows were replaced. A beautiful new stained glass window showing the Last Supper was installed. This window came from Franz Mayer & Co. in Munich, Germany. It was dedicated to Ellison Capers, who was a general in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. He was also a leader of the church from 1866 to 1888 and later became a Bishop.

In 1968, a north transept was built. This made the church look like a Gothic cross. An undercroft (a room below the church) was also added. In 2000, the balcony was made larger, and a large organ was put in.

In 1934, the Historic American Buildings Survey took photos and made detailed drawings of the church. These drawings show the church's layout and many small details.

Today, Christ Church is part of the Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina. It also supports the Christ Church Episcopal School in Greenville.

Churchyard and Cemetery

The churchyard is the area around the church. It includes a cemetery where many people are buried. Besides Vardry McBee, several church leaders and former mayors are buried here.

Three important politicians are also buried in the cemetery:

• Benjamin Franklin Perry: He was a governor of South Carolina after the American Civil War.
• William H. Perry: He was Benjamin Franklin Perry's son and served as a U.S. Congressman.
• Joseph H. Earle: He was a U.S. Senator.