Christ Episcopal Church (Reading, Pennsylvania) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Christ Episcopal Church
St. Mary's Parish (1765)
Christ Episcopal Church (at right), circa mid-1900s
Location	Reading, Pennsylvania
Country	United States
Language(s)	English
Denomination	Episcopal Church (United States)
Website	http://rdgchristchurch.org/live/
History
Former name(s)	Christ Church (1815)
Founded	1763 (congregation begun) 1823 (formal ministry) 1824 (Episcopal Diocese acceptance) 1825-1826 (church construction)
Founder(s)	The Rev. Alexander Murray (church mission, 1763) The Rev. Robert Davis (first rector, 1823)
Dedicated	May 10, 1826 (official church consecration)
Earlier dedication	June 8, 1825 (cornerstone laid)

Christ Episcopal Church, started in 1763, is the oldest English-speaking church group in Reading, Pennsylvania. You can find it on the northwest corner of Fifth and Court Streets. The main part of the church, called the nave, was built around 1826.

Many important Pennsylvanians were members here. This includes De Benneville Randolph Keim, a journalist who advised Ulysses S. Grant. Grant was a famous general during the American Civil War. Another member was David McMurtrie Gregg, a Civil War general known for his bravery at the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863.

A Look at Christ Church History

Christ Church officially began its ministry in 1823 with the Rev. Robert Davis. The building you see today was constructed between 1825 and 1826. It got its neo-gothic look during a big update in 1847. The tall spire was added in the early 1860s by Edward Tuckerman Potter, an architect who designed many Episcopal churches. One of its first leaders was Henry John Whitehouse, who later became a bishop.

But the church's story goes back even further!

The Early Years: 1700s

The first mention of Episcopal worship in Berks County was in 1759. The Rev. Thomas Barton wrote that there were English Church members in the area. They had no Episcopal minister. In 1760, William Bird asked for a missionary to live in Reading. He also wanted services at Morlattin, where a church already stood.

By 1763, a missionary named Rev. Alexander Murray was in place. He reported that his English Church group had 48 members from seven families. Twelve of them were under seven years old. They held services in a rented house used for civil courts. Sometimes, about 20 Anabaptists from Reading also attended. Reading had about 1,300 people at that time. By 1764, the group had grown to 121 people from 18 families.

In 1765, they called themselves St. Mary's Parish. They met at the city's courthouse. They also started planning to buy land for a new church. This land was at what is now North Fifth and Walnut streets in Reading. Their leaders that year included Edward Biddle and James Diemer.

However, the members could not raise enough money for the building. Rev. Murray was allowed to sell the land. He left the group in 1778.

Growth and Changes: 1800s

In 1815, the group changed its name to Christ Church. Church leaders received a different piece of land from Mrs. Rebecca Price. They hoped to build a new church and burial ground there. This land was on the west side of Fifth Street, just north of Court Street.

After nine years of planning and fundraising, Christ Church joined the Episcopal Diocese of Philadelphia. This happened on May 12, 1824. That same year, church leaders asked for building plans. Construction began in the spring of 1825. The cornerstone was laid on June 8, 1825, with many people watching.

The new church was finished in less than a year. It was an early English Gothic building. It was "thirty-five feet front and fifty feet deep," according to historian Montgomery. It could seat 300 worshippers. The new Christ Church was officially dedicated on May 10, 1826. Bishop William White gave the sermon.

In the 1880s, Christ Church in Reading became part of the Episcopal Diocese of Central Pennsylvania. It was the first church in that diocese to have its own boys' choir.

The church's seating grew to 800 in 1848. A special area for the choir (recess chancel), side wings (transepts), and a spire were added in 1863.

In March 1870, a monthly church newsletter called "The Parish Monitor" began. The Rev. J. Pinkney Hammond, the church leader, started it.

In 1873, rooms for the church leaders and choir were added. The chancel was also made 16 feet larger. That same year, the family of Isaac Eckert gave the church a gift. It was "a full chime of ten bells" in memory of Eckert, who had passed away. These bells were put in the church's Gothic spire. The bells were made by the Meneely Bell Foundry in New York. They weighed over 10,000 pounds and were played with pedals.

In 1881, money from Lucretia Dash Wood's estate helped build a new parish building. It had classrooms and a chapel. As the church grew physically, it also became more important in the community. It was chosen for worship, weddings, funerals, and other big events for many important people in Berks County.

Easter services in 1881 were held on Good Friday and every day of Passion Week. The Reading Times and Dispatch described the music program. It included songs like "We Are Soldiers of the Cross" and "Christ our Passover." The choir had Miss Ciara Dietrich (soprano), Miss Sallie A. Shearer (soprano), Miss Lillie E. Keonig (alto), Mr. Jesse Orr (tenor), Mr. P. R. Stetson (tenor), Mr. A. S. Boyer (bass), Mr. Edw. Pengelly (basso), and 10 boys and 4 men.

In June 1886, Christ Church added a new stained glass window. It was in memory of De Benneville Keim, the son of a long-time church member.

In October 1898, the church honored its leader, the Rev. Dr. William P. Orrick. This was for his 25 years of service. Richmond L. Jones, a church leader, praised Orrick for his good example and kindness.

In September 1899, the church honored Henry M. Keim. He had been a church leader from 1864 until his death. A bronze memorial tablet was placed on the church's south wall. It was next to the De Benneville Keim window. The tablet said: "To the Glory of God, and in Loving Memory of Henry May Keim, for Thirty-Five Years a Vestryman of this Church. 1864-1899. Born August 16th, 1842. Entered Into Rest Feb. 18, 1899. A Faithful Friend—An Earnest Churchman. A Sincere Christian."

The 1900s and Beyond

In May 1901, church leaders and members celebrated the 75th anniversary of Christ Episcopal Church. The Rev. Dr. William P. Orrick led the service. A 74-member choir performed. Bishop Leighton Coleman of Delaware gave a speech about the church's history.

The Rev. Dr. William P. Orrick, who led Christ Episcopal Church for over 36 years, passed away on May 21, 1910. His funeral was held at the church. He was buried at the Charles Evans Cemetery in Reading.

His assistant, the Rev. Wallace Martin, took over as interim minister. He later became the rector.

In January 1911, the Rev. Frederick Alexander MacMillen became the new rector. He started his duties in March, at the beginning of Lent. This is a Christian time for reflection.

Five years later, in December 1916, the church lost its Sunday School superintendent, Thomas P. Merritt. He was a community leader and helped many charities. He had been mayor of Reading.

In November 1927, members honored Rev. Dr. William P. Orrick again. They dedicated a two-story building in his memory. This building would be a warm-up room for the church choir. A bronze plate with Orrick's picture was placed at the entrance.

In 1935, MacMillen was elected vice president of the Reading Ministerial Association. He retired from his role at Christ Episcopal on October 1, 1946. He passed away at the age of 102 in March 1970.

Church Leaders (Rectors)

Here are some of the church leaders (rectors) from the 1800s and early 1900s:

• The Rev. Robert Davis (1823-1824)
• The Rev. W. C. Mead (1826)
• The Rev. H. J. Whitehouse (1827-1828)
• The Rev. M. Leonard (1829)
• The Rev. J. H. Cummings (1830-1831)
• The Rev. S. A. McCoskry (1832-1833)
• The Rev. G. W. Cole (1834)
• The Rev. R. U. Morgan, D.D. (1834-1850)
• The Rev. M. C. Lightner (1850-1861)
• The Rev. A. G. Cummins (1861-1867)
• The Rev. J. P. Lundy, D.D. (1867-1869)
• The Rev. J. P. Hammond (1869-1872)
• The Rt. Rev. M. A. De W. Howe, D.D. (Oct. 7, 1872)
• The Rev. William Pendleton Orrick, D.D. (Oct. 1, 1873-May 21, 1910)
• The Rev. Wallace Martin (1910-1911)
• The Rev. Frederick Alexander MacMillen (March 1911-October 1, 1946)