Christ Church Chapel
Encyclopedia
The Christ Church Chapel is a religious building located at 61 Grosse Pointe Rd. in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan
. It is also known as the Christ Church Grosse Pointe or the Christ Episcopal Church. It was designated a Michigan State Historic Site in 1992 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 1993.
in 1923, with Sunday school held in local homes while worship services were still conducted in the main church on Jefferson Avenue. By 1928, work had begun on the construction of a building for the congregation. The building, completed in 1930, was initially referred to as a "chapel," because it was intended to be one element of a larger building.
Two more building were added to the complex in the next eleven years: the rectory in 1938 and Miller Hall in 1941. In 1947, the congregation was given the status of a full parish. An education building, designed by Minoru Yamasaki
, was added in 1955. Further additions were made during the latter half of the century, and in 2000 the education building was torn down and replaced with a new education wing.
chapel is built in a Latin cross configuration with a 50 feet (15.2 m) tower at one corner. The narthex
is designed to be similar to the Chapter House of Wells Cathedral
, and the cloister
(enclosed in 1957) is modeled after the one at Canterbury Cathedral
.
The exterior of the chapel is covered with iridescent sandstone. The roof is covered with slate, with copper ridges and a copper spire. The church includes stained glass windows created by H. L. Willet, DeRaniere Studios of Detroit, and by the Detroit Stained Glass Company. The interior is constructed of limestone, with a flagstone floor. It boasts fine wood carvings, with the reredos
crafted by London's Mowbray & Co., Ltd. and the rood beam and other pieces by J. Jungwirth Co. and Pom-McFate Co. of Detroit.
Miller Hall and the rectory are built in a complementary Tudor Revival style.
Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan
Grosse Pointe Farms is a suburban city bordering Detroit located in Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It ranks as the 76th highest-income city in America. The population was 9,479 at the 2010 census. It is bordered by Grosse Pointe on the west, Detroit on the north, Grosse Pointe Woods...
. It is also known as the Christ Church Grosse Pointe or the Christ Episcopal Church. It was designated a Michigan State Historic Site in 1992 and 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 1993.
History
The Grosse Pointe Episcopal congregation began as a branch of Christ Church DetroitChrist Church Detroit
Christ Church Detroit is an Episcopal church located at 960 E. Jefferson Avenue in Detroit, Michigan. It is also known as Old Christ Church, Detroit. It is the oldest Protestant church in Michigan which is still located on its original site...
in 1923, with Sunday school held in local homes while worship services were still conducted in the main church on Jefferson Avenue. By 1928, work had begun on the construction of a building for the congregation. The building, completed in 1930, was initially referred to as a "chapel," because it was intended to be one element of a larger building.
Two more building were added to the complex in the next eleven years: the rectory in 1938 and Miller Hall in 1941. In 1947, the congregation was given the status of a full parish. An education building, designed by Minoru Yamasaki
Minoru Yamasaki
was a Japanese-American architect, best known for his design of the twin towers of the World Trade Center, buildings 1 and 2. Yamasaki was one of the most prominent architects of the 20th century...
, was added in 1955. Further additions were made during the latter half of the century, and in 2000 the education building was torn down and replaced with a new education wing.
Description
The Neo-GothicGothic Revival architecture
The Gothic Revival is an architectural movement that began in the 1740s in England...
chapel is built in a Latin cross configuration with a 50 feet (15.2 m) tower at one corner. The narthex
Narthex
The narthex of a church is the entrance or lobby area, located at the end of the nave, at the far end from the church's main altar. Traditionally the narthex was a part of the church building, but was not considered part of the church proper...
is designed to be similar to the Chapter House of Wells Cathedral
Wells Cathedral
Wells Cathedral is a Church of England cathedral in Wells, Somerset, England. It is the seat of the Bishop of Bath and Wells, who lives at the adjacent Bishop's Palace....
, and the cloister
Cloister
A cloister is a rectangular open space surrounded by covered walks or open galleries, with open arcades on the inner side, running along the walls of buildings and forming a quadrangle or garth...
(enclosed in 1957) is modeled after the one at Canterbury Cathedral
Canterbury Cathedral
Canterbury Cathedral in Canterbury, Kent, is one of the oldest and most famous Christian structures in England and forms part of a World Heritage Site....
.
The exterior of the chapel is covered with iridescent sandstone. The roof is covered with slate, with copper ridges and a copper spire. The church includes stained glass windows created by H. L. Willet, DeRaniere Studios of Detroit, and by the Detroit Stained Glass Company. The interior is constructed of limestone, with a flagstone floor. It boasts fine wood carvings, with the 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....
crafted by London's Mowbray & Co., Ltd. and the rood beam and other pieces by J. Jungwirth Co. and Pom-McFate Co. of Detroit.
Miller Hall and the rectory are built in a complementary Tudor Revival style.