Christ Episcopal Church (Waltham, Massachusetts) Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Christ Church
Christ Church western façade (2023)
Country	United States
Denomination	Episcopal
Website	Church website
History
Founded	1848
Founder(s)	Albert C. Patterson
Consecrated	1902
Architecture
Architect(s)	Peabody and Stearns
Style	English country
Years built	1897–1898
Specifications
Materials	Fieldstone
Administration
Diocese	Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts

Christ Church is a beautiful and historic Episcopal church located at 750 Main Street in Waltham, Massachusetts. It's part of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts. This special building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1989, which means it's recognized as an important historical site.

The church started in 1848. At first, people met in a local hall for services. Then, a wooden church was built in 1849. As the church community grew, they needed a bigger space. So, a new, larger church was built from local fieldstone between 1897 and 1898. It was designed by famous architects Peabody and Stearns.

Inside the church, you can see amazing stained glass windows. These windows were made by very talented artists like Clayton and Bell, Charles Connick, Louis Comfort Tiffany, and Donald MacDonald. Many different leaders, called rectors, have guided the church since it began.

History of Christ Church
- Early Days
- Building the New Church
Amazing Architecture and Stained Glass
- Special Stained Glass Windows
Church Leaders (Rectors)
See also

History of Christ Church

Early Days

The Christ Church community began in 1848. It was started by Albert C. Patterson, who was an Episcopal clergyman and missionary. He thought Waltham, Massachusetts was a great place for a new church because it was a growing industrial city.

The new church group first met in Rumford Hall. This building later became Waltham City Hall. In 1849, a Gothic style wooden church was finished on Central Street in Waltham. A founding member named J. S. Copley Greene gave the land and much of the money for this first church.

The strong stone base of the church's steeple

The first leader of Christ Church was the Rev. Thomas F. Fales. He came from St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Brunswick, Maine. Rev. Fales was the church's rector for over 40 years, until he retired in 1890. During his time, the church grew a lot, from just 15 members to more than 400!

Building the New Church

Around the time Rev. Fales retired, the church building on Central Street became too small. In 1892, the church bought land at 750 Main Street to build a larger church. The old wooden church building was sold in 1895. While the new church was being built, Christ Church held services in Waltham's Maynard Hall.

In 1896, the famous architectural firm Peabody and Stearns was chosen to design the new church. Construction started in early 1897. A kind person named Robert Treat Paine Jr. signed the building contract. He was a senior warden (a church leader) and used a lot of his own money to help pay for the new building. Two sisters, Harriet Sarah and Mary Sophia Walker, who were also church members, gave a lot of money too.

The very first service in the new building was held on June 17, 1898. On that Sunday, the retired Rev. Fales gave the first sermon. He gave the wooden pulpit (the stand where the sermon is given) as a gift to the new church.

Christ Church is a parish of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.

Amazing Architecture and Stained Glass

Christ Church looking beautiful after a snowfall

Christ Church was designed by Peabody and Stearns. They were known for their American Shingle style architecture. The church was built using local fieldstone from Waltham. It looks like an English Country style building. The idea to use stone for the church came from architect H. H. Richardson. He was a friend of Robert Treat Paine Jr.

When Paine updated his home in 1883, Richardson designed it using stones from Paine's own land. This home became Stonehurst. Even though Richardson passed away before Christ Church was planned, his design for Stonehurst inspired Robert Treat Paine Jr. to use the same type of stones for the church's outside walls.

Special Stained Glass Windows

The church has several very important stained glass windows. They are truly works of art!

The East Window

The east window was made by Clayton and Bell. Robert Treat Paine Jr. gave this window in memory of his wife, Lydia Lyman Paine. She passed away in 1897 while the church was being built. Paine asked for his wife's image to be in the window. You can find her as a red-clad figure kneeling before Christ on the left side.

The West Window

The west window was designed by Charles Connick. This window celebrates Waltham's history of making things. It shows images of Ruth, Solomon, and Noah. These are all hardworking people from the Bible. The window also includes pictures of rivets, a bicycle wheel, a watch escapement (a part of a watch), and a Metz car. These symbols show Waltham's industrial past.

The Tiffany Window

Along the south wall, there is a special Tiffany window. It was designed by Tiffany artist Frederick Wilson. This beautiful window shows the Nativity, which is the birth of Jesus. John H. Storer gave this window to the church in 1908. It was in memory of Frank Henry Perkins and Mary Ella Perkins.

The Easter Window

Also on the south wall is a window by a famous Boston stained glass artist, Donald MacDonald. This window was given in memory of Harriet K. Parmenter. It shows the Easter scene where the risen Christ appears to Mary Magdalene.