Christ Episcopal Church (Raleigh, North Carolina) facts for kids
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Christ Episcopal Church
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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street view of the church
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 Location in North Carolina
Location in the United States
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| Location | 120 E. Edenton St., Raleigh, North Carolina |
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| Built | 1848 |
| Architect | Richard Upjohn; Hobart Upjohn |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| Part of | Capitol Area Historic District (ID78001978) |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000469 (original) 87002597 (increase) |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | July 28, 1970 |
| Boundary increase | December 23, 1987 |
| Designated NHL | December 23, 1987 |
| Designated CP | April 15, 1978 |
Christ Episcopal Church, also known as Christ Church on Capitol Square, is a historic Episcopal church. You can find it at 120 East Edenton Street in Raleigh, North Carolina. This amazing church was built between 1848 and 1853. It was designed by a famous architect named Richard Upjohn. It's one of the very first churches in the American South built in the Gothic Revival style. This style looks like old medieval castles and cathedrals. The church was built for a group of people who started meeting in 1821. Because of its special history and architecture, it was named a National Historic Landmark in 1987. This means it's a very important place in American history.
Discovering Christ Episcopal Church
Christ Episcopal Church is located right in the heart of Raleigh. It's just east of the North Carolina State Capitol building. The church has a shape like a cross when you look at it from above. It is mostly built from rough, colorful stones. Smoother, cut stones are used at the corners and around the windows. The roof is covered with red tiles. It also has special cross-shaped decorations at the ends of the roof.
The walls of the church have strong supports called buttresses. These help the walls stand tall and strong. A covered walkway extends from the church's west side. It connects the church to a tall tower. This tower has three levels. Its corners also have buttresses. The top level has openings with slanted wooden slats. These are for the church bells. A spire sits on top of the tower. It has a unique bronze weather vane that shows wind direction.
A Look at the Church's History
The group of people who started Christ Church first came together in 1821. Their first church building was made of wood in 1829. The current stone church was designed by Richard Upjohn in 1846. It was officially opened in 1854. The church's bishop, Levi Silliman Ives, suggested that Upjohn base his design on another church. This was St. Mary's in Burlington, New Jersey. Upjohn had recently finished building that church.
Later, a parish house with a chapel was added to Christ Church. This was built between 1913 and 1914. It was designed by Upjohn's grandson, Hobart.
The Ravenscroft School, a private school in Raleigh, was started by members of this church. It was named after the Episcopal Bishop of the area at that time. His name was John Stark Ravenscroft. He was also the church's leader.
A woman named Olivia Raney was the church's organist. She played the organ for services until she passed away in 1896.
People Connected to Christ Church
Many interesting people have been connected to Christ Episcopal Church over the years.
- The author Armistead Maupin attended this church with his family when he was a child.
- Mary Hilliard Hinton, who was against women getting the right to vote, also attended this church.
- Fanny Yarborough Bickett, who was the First Lady of North Carolina, attended this church too.
