Editing Old Christ Church

{{for|the current home of [[Christ Church Parish]]|Christ Episcopal Church}}
{{Infobox Building
|image=OldChristChurch.jpg
|caption=Old Christ Church
|name=Old Christ Church
|location=405 South [[Adams Street]]
|architect=
|client=[[Christ Church Parish]]
|engineer=
|owner=[[Old Christ Church Foundation]]
|construction_start_date=[[1830]]
|completion_date=[[1832]]
|renovations=[[1878]]-[[1879]]<br/>[[1936]] (library)<br/>[[1999]]
|date_demolished=
|cost=$4,500
|structural_system=brick & plaster
|style=Norman Gothic
|size=
|mapcode=<googlemap lat="30.409135" lon="-87.210138" zoom="17" width="288" height="200">
30.409135, -87.21031, Old Christ Church
</googlemap>
}}
'''Christ Church''' (also known as '''Old Christ Church''') is a historic church. It is located at 405 South [[Adams Street]], adjacent to [[Seville Square]]. It is currently owned and maintained by the [[Old Christ Church Foundation]] and is leased to the [[Historic Pensacola Preservation Board]] as part of the [[Historic Pensacola Village]].

==Origin==
{{main|Christ Church Parish}}
Christ Church was the site of the first Protestant congregation in Pensacola, after a religious census by Episcopal minister [[Ralph Williston]] discovered an element of the area's predominantly-Catholic population desired their own place of worship. On [[June 4]], [[1827]], Williston gathered a mixed-denomination group to discuss the creation of a Protestant church, and a vestry was elected.

On [[October 14]], [[1829]], the newly-formed Protestant Episcopal Congregation of the City of Pensacola petitioned the Territory of Florida to incorporate [[Christ Church Parish]]. Governor William P. Duval approved the Act of Incorporation on [[October 16]]. Construction of the building began in [[1830]] and finished in [[1832]] at a total cost of $4,500. The design is said to be taken from a plan by Sir [[Wikipedia:Christopher Wren|Christopher Wren]].

During the [[Civil War]], the church was used by Union forces as a hospital and barracks.

==Expansion==
Between [[1878]]-[[1879]], a major renovation effort was undertaken at a cost of $4,000. An addition of twenty feet was added to the west side, to make room for a new sacristy and choir room; the floor, damaged in the [[Civil War]], was replaced; gothic arches were built into the ceiling; the tower was remodeled with dormer windows on each side; a porch was added to the southern end; the organ lost was removed, and an alter rail was added; and a strained glassed window, entitled "Light of the World," was installed over the alter. The renovations were designed by New York architect [[Wikipedia:Charles C. Haight|Charles C. Haight]], and [[Joseph Areson]] of Pensacola was the contractor. The pipe organ, destroyed in the [[Civil War]], was replaced in [[1887]].

==The Church moves==
{{main|Christ Episcopal Church}}
The Christ Church congregation moved to their current home on [[Wright Street]] in [[1903]], taking with them the Pilcher and Sons pipe organ. (The organ would later be sold to [[Gadsden Street Methodist Church]].) The last service in the old building was on [[April 1|Good Friday]], while the [[April 3|Easter Sunday]] service was held in the new church.

After the move, Old Christ Church became neglected from disuse. It was deconsecrated in [[1935]] and deeded to the [[City of Pensacola]] in [[1936]], at which time it became the city's first [[West Florida Public Library|public library]]. In [[1959]], the library moved to its [[Pensacola Public Library|downtown branch]], and Old Christ Church became the home of the [[Pensacola Historical Society]]. On [[May 3]], [[1974]], Old Christ Church was added to the United States National Register of Historic Places.

==Old Christ Church Foundation==
{{main|Old Christ Church Foundation}}
By [[1995]], the City and the Historical Society had allowed the church to deteriorate, and ownership of the building reverted back to [[Christ Church Parish]]. This was approved uninamously by the [[Pensacola City Council]] on [[February 22]], [[1996]]. Following an engineering study by firm [[Baskerville-Donovan]], it was determined that the old church would require $172,000 to be brought back up to code and an additional $380,000 to be fully restored. A non-profit organization, the [[Old Christ Church Foundation]], was established to take ownership of the building and to administer its renovations and future use.

==Images==
<gallery>
Image:OldChristChurch1896.PNG|[[1896]]
Image:OldChristChurch1962.jpg|[[1962]]
Image:OldChristChurchMuseum1962.jpg|For many years the church was home to the [[Pensacola Historical Society]].
Image:OldChristChurchSouthPorch1962.jpg|This south porch was probably added during the 1878-79 renovations.
</gallery>


==References and external links==
* [http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/FL/Escambia/state.html Escambia County listings] at [http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com National Register of Historic Places]
* [http://www.flheritage.com Florida's Office of Cultural and Historical Programs]
** [http://www.flheritage.com/facts/reports/places/index.cfm?fuseaction=ListAreas&county=escambia Escambia County listings]
** [http://www.flheritage.com/preservation/markers/markers.cfm?ID=escambia Escambia County markers]
** [http://www.flheritage.com/services/sites/fht/record_t.cfm?ID=260&type=c&index=17 Old Christ Church]
*[http://www.christ-church.net/oldcc.htm History of Old Christ Church]

[[Category:Historic Pensacola Village]] [[Category:History]] [[Category:Culture]] [[Category:National Register of Historic Places]]