Christ Episcopal Church (Burlington, Iowa) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Christ Episcopal Church
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U.S. Historic district
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 Location in Iowa
Location in the United States
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| Location | 623 N. Fifth St. Burlington, Iowa |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1885 |
| Architect | Charles A. Dunham |
| Architectural style | Romanesque Revival |
| Part of | Heritage Hill Historic District (ID82000406) |
| Added to NRHP | December 21, 1982 |
Christ Episcopal Church, also known as Christ Church, is a historic church in Burlington, Iowa. It is part of a special area called the Heritage Hill Historic District. This means it is recognized as an important historical building.
Contents
The Church's Early History
The story of Christ Church begins a long time ago. In 1833, a new town called Flint Hills was started in what is now eastern Iowa. The name came from the Sauk and Meskwaki tribes who called the area "Shoquoquon," or Flint Hills.
A Meeting on a Steamboat
In 1836, a church leader named Bishop Jackson Kemper was traveling on a steamboat. He met a lawyer named David Rorer, who was moving to the new town. Rorer convinced the bishop to start a church mission there.
By 1838, the town's name had changed to Burlington. The bishop started a mission for the Episcopal Church that same year. A reverend from Rhode Island came to lead it. The first service was held on March 15, 1839, in a building called Old Zion Church. It was the only church in town at the time. The mission officially became a parish, or a local church community, the next year.
Building a New Church
The church members, called the vestry, bought land at Fifth and High Streets in 1849. They built their first church there and named it Christ Church. As more people joined, they needed a bigger building.
After some discussion, they decided to tear down the old church in 1884. They built a new one on the very same spot. The beautiful stone church you can see today was finished in 1885. It was officially blessed, or consecrated, on May 16, 1886.
A Major Fire and Rebuilding
A terrible fire destroyed the church in 1973. Only the strong stone walls were left standing. Many valuable items were lost, including a special set of bells called a carillon, the pipe organ, and all the church's historical records.
Most of the beautiful stained glass windows were also destroyed. Luckily, one important window showing the resurrection survived because it was above the altar. While the church was being rebuilt, the congregation held its services at a nearby Presbyterian church. They were able to use the original stone walls to rebuild their church.
Architecture and Design
The church was designed by a local architect named Charles A. Dunham. He used a style called Romanesque Revival, which was popular in the 1800s. This style is known for its thick walls, round arches, and large towers.
Building with Local Stone
The outside of the church is made of limestone found right in the Burlington area. The stones are laid in a pattern called rubble masonry. A unique feature of the church is its round tower. The tower becomes square at the top, where the belfry (the part that holds the bells) is located.
In 1901, a parish house was built next to the church. It was designed to match the church's style and stone material.
Changes After the Fire
After the 1973 fire, the outside of the church was carefully restored. To make the walls stronger, large supports called buttresses were added. These help hold the weight of the new roof.
The church also got a new stained glass window from a church in Blackburn, England. The English church was being torn down, and a program called the Redundant Churches Program helped Christ Church get the window. This program finds new homes for items from churches that are no longer in use.
