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Having sat vacant for more than twenty years, the structure has deteriorated and maintenance is required before it can be used again. While the Victorian brownstone and brick building still retains its picturesque profile and distinctive detailing, its condition continues to get worse. The Christ Episcopal Church made the Providence Preservation Society's Ten Most Endangered List in 1999, and PPS has worked with the church in the past, but renewed fears about the building’s status returned the structure to PPS’s Ten Most Endangered List in 2003.

In early January 2006, the structure was finally taken down.

History

Despite facing discrimination and even persecution in colonial New England, by the nineteenth century the Episcopalian Church had become an integral part of New England’s cultural landscape. The Church also made an impact on the physical landscape, contributing greatly to the development of ecclesiastical architecture in Rhode Island by introducing and popularizing the English Gothic vernacular.

With its fine brickwork, asymmetrical massing and stately corner tower, the Christ Episcopal Church (1888) represents a fine example of English Gothic Revival. Established in 1864, the congregation erected a frame chapel on the site in 1867 which they moved across Eddy street when construction on the present sanctuary began. Designed by the prolific William R. Walker and Son, Christ Episcopal Church was home to the congregation for more than a century until dwindling numbers forced the church to close its doors in 1981.

Having sat vacant for more than twenty years, the structure has deteriorated and maintenance is required before it can be used again. While the Victorian brownstone and brick building still retains its picturesque profile and distinctive detailing, its condition continues to get worse. The Christ Episcopal Church made the Ten Most Endangered List in 1999, and PPS has worked with the church in the past, but renewed fears about the building’s status have returned the structure to PPS’s Ten Most Endangered List. Hope remains that a homeless congregation could rehabilitate the building, but the the fact that the church was originally built for religious purposes does not preclude its adaptation for any number of community or neighborhood uses.

History prepared by Josh Jackson for the Providence Preservation Society

Anecdotes

Sandy Connor  This is a significant church in the Episcopal Diocese of RI. A march is held on Aug. 14 each year to commemorate Jonathan Daniels who served at that church in the early 60’s. Jonathan Daniels was killed protecting a 17 yr. old, Ruby Sales, while protesting for Civil Rights in 1965 in Alabama. The march begins at Christ Church and ends at Church of the Epiphany on Potters Ave.

P Babbidge  This fine building designed by William R. Walker and Son can rest in peace along with another Walker design, the Manton Avenue Grammar School which was also built in 1888. It was located at 917 Manton on the corner with Fruit Hill Ave. Demolished some time in 2005 and now the lot houses a brand new video store. I work across the street at the Stop & Shop and my heart bleeds every time I cross that intersection, but I do get a smile to see that someone further up Fruit Hill Ave has recycled the school’s wrought iron fencing in their own yard. The loss of this fine church hurts even more than the loss of the school, and the pics of the demo make me cry because it looks like the demo crew wasn’t too keen on destroying the church either. What a terrible shame.

Sandra L. Dawley  For more than 5 years I have driven past this beautiful church. The architecture was simple beautiful. It was sad to see it deteriorate and I wondered about the congregation who originally attended and what the name of the church was. I was so glad to see it on this website and so sad to see it go. I am glad that pictures were included of its interior. It truly must have been a beautiful House of Worship.

Tom Carroll  I grew up at 845 Eddy St. We played around this church, though as good Irish Catholics we went to St. Michaels. The first non-Catholics I knew were the Demings who went to Christ Episcopal. I’m sorry to see it gone.

Add your Anecdotes

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