Christ Church (New Haven)
Encyclopedia
Christ Church, also known as Christ Church New Haven, is an Episcopal parish church in the Broadway district of New Haven, Connecticut
. Christ Church follows an Anglo-Catholic style of worship and has a strong focus on urban ministry. The parish began as an offshoot from New Haven's Trinity Church, the central Episcopal church on New Haven's town green
.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 2009.
.
It is notable for its very fine Gothic architecture
, and its central location near downtown New Haven makes it something of a landmark. Its stone tower is modeled on the tower of Magdalen College, Oxford
. Vaughn personally chose the artists who created the beautiful interior. Bavarian-born Johannes Kirchmayer
executed the intricate wood carving, notable in particular on the rood screen
. The stained glass windows (including a large window at the back of the sanctuary above the baptismal font
) were created by the noted firm of C.E. Kempe in London. The high altar also features monmunental stone figures and a carved Caen stone reredos
inspired by examples in Winchester Cathedral
and St. Alban's in England.
The church's Solemn High Mass (11:00am September–April, 10:00am May–early September) is locally notable for its fine choral music and beautiful liturgy. Compline
, sung at 9:00pm September–May, draws a large crowd of both young and old from the city of New Haven and surrounding communities as well as from nearby Yale University
. Christ Church also houses the headquarters of the North American branch of the Society of Catholic Priests
, a society of clergy in the mainstream of the Episcopal Church who practice the Anglo-Catholic tradition.
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
. Christ Church follows an Anglo-Catholic style of worship and has a strong focus on urban ministry. The parish began as an offshoot from New Haven's Trinity Church, the central Episcopal church on New Haven's town green
New Haven Green
The New Haven Green is a privately owned park and recreation area located in the downtown district of the city of New Haven, Connecticut. It comprises the central square of the nine-square settlement plan of the original Puritan colonists in New Haven, and was designed and surveyed by colonist...
.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 2009.
History
The church building, completed in 1898, was designed by architect Henry VaughanHenry Vaughan (Architect)
Henry Vaughan , a prolific and talented church architect, came to America to bring the English Gothic style to the American branch of the Anglican Communion . He was an apprentice under George Frederick Bodley and went on to great success popularizing the Gothic Revival style.-Life:Vaughan was...
.
It is notable for its very fine Gothic architecture
Gothic architecture
Gothic architecture is a style of architecture that flourished during the high and late medieval period. It evolved from Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture....
, and its central location near downtown New Haven makes it something of a landmark. Its stone tower is modeled on the tower of Magdalen College, Oxford
Magdalen College, Oxford
Magdalen College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. As of 2006 the college had an estimated financial endowment of £153 million. Magdalen is currently top of the Norrington Table after over half of its 2010 finalists received first-class degrees, a record...
. Vaughn personally chose the artists who created the beautiful interior. Bavarian-born Johannes Kirchmayer
Johannes Kirchmayer
Johannes Kirchmayer was one of the leading woodcarvers in the United States, active primarily in the Boston area....
executed the intricate wood carving, notable in particular on the rood screen
Rood screen
The rood screen is a common feature in late medieval church architecture. It is typically an ornate partition between the chancel and nave, of more or less open tracery constructed of wood, stone, or wrought iron...
. The stained glass windows (including a large window at the back of the sanctuary above the baptismal font
Baptismal font
A baptismal font is an article of church furniture or a fixture used for the baptism of children and adults.-Aspersion and affusion fonts:...
) were created by the noted firm of C.E. Kempe in London. The high altar also features monmunental stone figures and a carved Caen stone reredos
Reredos
thumb|300px|right|An altar and reredos from [[St. Josaphat's Roman Catholic Church|St. Josaphat Catholic Church]] in [[Detroit]], [[Michigan]]. This would be called a [[retable]] in many other languages and countries....
inspired by examples in Winchester Cathedral
Winchester Cathedral
Winchester Cathedral at Winchester in Hampshire is one of the largest cathedrals in England, with the longest nave and overall length of any Gothic cathedral in Europe...
and St. Alban's in England.
The church's Solemn High Mass (11:00am September–April, 10:00am May–early September) is locally notable for its fine choral music and beautiful liturgy. Compline
Compline
Compline is the final church service of the day in the Christian tradition of canonical hours. The English word Compline is derived from the Latin completorium, as Compline is the completion of the working day. The word was first used in this sense about the beginning of the 6th century by St...
, sung at 9:00pm September–May, draws a large crowd of both young and old from the city of New Haven and surrounding communities as well as from nearby Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
. Christ Church also houses the headquarters of the North American branch of the Society of Catholic Priests
Society of Catholic Priests
The Society of Catholic Priests is a religious society of clergy in the Anglican Communion which draws its membership from Anglicans who consider themselves a part of the Anglo-Catholic tradition of Anglicanism.-Founding and early history:...
, a society of clergy in the mainstream of the Episcopal Church who practice the Anglo-Catholic tradition.