My Mind's Eye

Remember your Angels are Watching

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Steeple Sunday: Christ Church

The founding of Christ Church (Episcopal) is traditionally dated to the afternoon of August 21, 1821. English born Richard Upjohn, the leading Gothic Revival style church architect in America and founder of the American Institute of Architect originally included the tower in the original plans but the church did not have the funds for it. In 1859 construction of the tower began.
It was completed in 1861 just two months prior to the firing on Fort Sumter that opened the Civil War. Please note the gilded weathercock at the tower's peak. It is a common feature of English country churches. After the end of the Civil War, the locals enjoyed repeating the saying that the rooster atop Christ Church steeple was the only chicken left in Raleigh when General Sherman's troops withdrew from the capital on April 28-29, 1865.
Christ Church, is one of North Carolina's most distinguished and beautiful church buildings. I especially admire the beautiful red tile roof and stone exterior.
Over the years there have been several renovations and additions to Christ Church (which spans several blocks). The most significant ones were in 2000-2001, when Richard Upjohn's English country church, built and furnished for a total of $30,000.00 in the mid 1800's, was meticulously restored at a cost of $3.1 million and in 2008 the Baker Wing to the church was renovated at a cost of $1.3 million. As of 2008 the membership at Christ Church was 2,600.

19 comments:

  1. Beautiful photos and a history lesson, how fun!...Have a lovely Sunday...xo...Calle, Halle, Sukki

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  2. More beautiful church. We luv the old high steeples. Church today aren't as pretty as the older ones are they. I miss that!

    Luv,
    Riley and Star.

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  3. Hi Madi and Mom,
    I just got caught up on your blog. I've missed being able to check in on you everyday...
    Enjoy the rest of your weekend,
    ~K

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  4. Our mom really enjoys seeing your Sunday church posts!

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  5. Nice lesson! And pretty too! Thanks so much for these posts. Have a great Sunday!

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  6. Our mama loves the steeples..........Have a beautiful Sunday. xxxxxxxxxxxx

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  7. Love the pictures--especially the one with tree branches!

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  8. Very nice pics and also interesting history. We really love old building built with stone - they have so much character.
    We also liked the pic on your sidebar of Madi in her spring bonnet - we have not noticed it before - very pretty!
    xx

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  9. Another great Sunday post! Beautiful and interesting! AND yes, I found the bee in yesterday's pics. The top and bottom one! I told you I had good eyesight!

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  10. I just read about a church that has a congregation of over 14000. Wow.

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  11. Beautiful pictures.. Hope the weekend is going well!!

    Licks from me!!

    Olive

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  12. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  13. Hi Madi
    We don't understand why there is some strange weird added comment when we posted...that's why we deleted the comment above...

    I said that I hoped you had a good weekend and both Mom and I enjoyed the pictures your Mom posted. We also enjoyed the history lesson!



    purrs
    >^,,^<
    Abby

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  14. I'm really enjoying your Steeple Sundays. Seeing beautiful buildings along with the structure's history is definitely fun.

    The red tile roof is striking and I love the story of the chicken. Great photos.

    Hugs,
    Judy

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  15. Very interesting post about the Church!
    I hope you had a great weekend!
    Kisses and hugs
    Lorenza

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  16. I enjoyed reading this post!!(mommy needed to check the dictionary so often,though!!)
    The church with the red tile roof is really beautiful.
    Thank you for the fun lesson and beautiful pictures!!
    Hugs from Tekorin

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  17. Thanks for the history from the church !!!
    I hope you had a wonderful peaceful sunday.
    Sorry i'm late I had my family at home at the weekend NO blogging :(
    Goodnight ....

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Cecilia and Angel Madi
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