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Pensacola: Historic Pensacola Village: Old Christ ChurchOld Christ Church was constructed of local brick and hand-hewn pine beams in the Christopher Wren style of architecture. It is the oldest church in Florida still standing on its original site. When the United State acquired Pensacola, the town was predominately Catholic, reflecting its Spanish heritage. There were no Protestant churches here until 1830 when the Episcopalians, Methodists and Presbyterians united to build a house of worship. The Methodists and Presbyterians soon built their own churches amd Christ Church served the Episcopalians. During the Civil War, Union Troops occupied the church for use as a hospital and barracks. The church as been altered many time, but retains much of its original appearance. The church was renovated in 1999 and in now administered by the West Florida Preservation Board. (Source: Johnson, Sandra and Virginia Parks. "Pensacola, The Old and the New." ISBN 0-939566-05-2.)
The plaque is located on the front of the church on the right side of the door. taken by Denise Daughtry
The plaque is located on the front of the church on the right side of the door. taken by Denise Daughtry
The church does not have a clear style since it has evolved over time. It has been described as Gothic. In 1832, the church was built for $4,500.00. In the late 1990’s the Historic Pnesacola Preservation Board spend $800,000.00 to rehabilitate the church. taken by Denise Daughtry
Originally the building was slicked with a white-colored lime wash to support the weak bake-fired bricks with which it was constructed. taken by Denise Daughtry
For a brief while during the Civil War, the entire congregation of Old Christ Church along with all but about 80 of Pensacola’s population, fled to Alabama. During their absence, Union troops occupied the church and used it as a hospital and barracks.
taken by Denise Daughtry
This is a north view from the vantage point of Church Street. taken by Denise Daughtry
Today the building is at the center of Historic Pensacola Village to be used for concerts, recitals, lectures, adn weddings as well as a community town hall. taken by Denise Daughtry
The south side of the church is on Zaragoza Street. taken by Denise Daughtry
The Christ Church Episcopal parishioners moved into a new church on north Palafox in 1903. The Episcopal Bishop of Florida deconsecrated the building 1935. The building served as the first public library until 1959. Between 1959 and 1995, Pensacola Historical Museum based itself in the bulding, but by 1995 the church had again fallen into disrepair. In 1995, the city voted to return the deed to Old Christ Church vestry who in turn leased it to Historic Pensacola to make it eligible for state grants to fund the necessary repairs. taken by Denise Daughtry
Old Christ Church is situated on the corner of Adams and Zaragoza Street across from Seville Square, as can be seen in the photograph. taken by Denise Daughtry
The Dorr House can be seen across the front lawn. taken by Denise Daughtry
A major renovation of the building took place betwen 1878 and 1879. Dr. Scott’s report for 1879 for the Diocese of Florida states that he had a stained glass window “Light of the World” installed over the altar as a memorial to the late Rt. Rev. Francis Huger Rutledge. All of the stained glass windows were moved in 1903 to the new Christ Church where parishioners still enjoy their beauty. A copy of the “Light of the World” window was made by Rambusch, Inc. of New York. The window was given as a memorial to Elby Godwin by his wife Jeanne and their two children, Honey and Elby, Jr. taken by Denise Daughtry
A major renovation of the building took place betwen 1878 and 1879. Dr. Scott’s report for 1879 for the Diocese of Florida states that he had a stained glass window “Light of the World” installed over the altar as a memorial to the late Rt. Rev. Francis Huger Rutledge. All of the stained glass windows were moved in 1903 to the new Christ Church where parishioners still enjoy their beauty. A copy of the “Light of the World” window was made by Rambusch, Inc. of New York. The window was given as a memorial to Elby Godwin by his wife Jeanne and their two children, Honey and Elby, Jr. taken by Denise Daughtry
The altar is the original which was returned to Christ Church in the mid-1970’s. The chancel chairs came from a church in Detroit are are dated 1870. taken by Denise Daughtry
During the recent church renovation an archaeology study revealed graves of the lost rectors. These three men were the first three rectors of the church. Until 1988, it was only a locally accepted legend that they were indeed buried under the church. Some tales even said that Union troops disentombed them in search for valuables. Dr. Judy Bense of the University of West Florida Archaeology Institute found evidence that the legned may have some validity. The white marble memorial plaque inlaid into the wooden floor is located in the center of the photograph. taken by Denise Daughtry
The interior of the building is as much like it was in 1879 as possible. The pews are new and copies of the originals. The lighting is like it was in 1879 when the building was expanded and the roof elevated. taken by Denise Daughtry
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