Christ Episcopal Church (Red Wing, Minnesota) facts for kids

Christ Episcopal Church viewed from the northwest

The church interior, decorated for the season of Advent

Christ Episcopal Church is a historic building located in Red Wing, Minnesota, in the United States. It's a special place with a long history, founded way back in 1858. This church is known for its beautiful design and its important role in the community's past.

Building a Historic Church

Exterior of the church before the steeple was added

When the church community, called a parish, first started in 1858, they built a simple wooden church. This building worked well for a while. But as more people joined the parish, they needed a bigger space. By 1868, everyone agreed it was time to build a new, larger church.

Designing the New Church

Work on the new church began in the fall of 1868. The building was designed in a style called Gothic Revival architecture. This style looks like the grand cathedrals from the Middle Ages, with pointed arches, tall windows, and often towers or steeples. The plans for Christ Episcopal Church were created by a famous architect from New York named Henry C. Dudley.

Who Built It?

Many skilled people helped construct the church:

• D.C. Hill was in charge of the main carpentry work, like building the basic wooden frame.
• George H. Davis did the detailed finishing work. This included crafting the seats, columns, fancy window designs (called tracery), and the wooden paneling on the walls (wainscoting). He used a type of wood called butternut and finished it with oil to make it shine.
• G.A. Carlson was the stonework expert. He used strong magnesian limestone from his own quarries to build the church's stone walls.
• A person known as "Mr. Sharpe from New York" provided all the beautiful windows for the church.

Church Dedication and Steeples

Christ Episcopal Church, An Illustrated Atlas of the State of Minnesota, (Alfred T Andreas, plate 98, Chicago, 1874)

The first stone of the new church, called the cornerstone, was laid on June 24, 1869. This was an important ceremony marking the start of construction. The church was officially opened and blessed by Bishop Henry Benjamin Whipple on December 19, 1871.

Interestingly, the tall steeple you see today wasn't added right away. The builders were a bit worried about how strong the church's foundations were. So, they waited until 1897, more than 25 years later, to add the steeple.

A Recognized Historic Site

Today, Christ Episcopal Church is considered a very important part of the Red Wing Mall Historic District. This district is a special area that has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Being on this list means the church is recognized nationally for its historical and architectural importance, helping to protect it for future generations.