Christ Episcopal Church

Although Episcopal services were held in the region as early as 1842 regular congregational meetings began in 1850, in a schoolhouse on West 3rd Street. The group began erecting a church in the fall of that year on Cedar Street, between 3rd and 4th Streets. During the spring of 1851, the congregation was officially established and the new church was dedicated on June 20, 1851. By 1866-67, a new church was being built at 4th Street and Franklin, but on February 3, 1867, the nearly-complete building was destroyed by fire. While the rebuild was taking place the congregation held services in the Presbyterian church and Ingersoll Hall. The new church was soon occupied, however. Over the next decades, a rectory and parish house was added. The last services were held in the 4th Street church in 1930 when the property was slated for the construction of the new courthouse. The congregation engaged architect Clarence H. Johnston to design their new church at Pleasant Street and West 6th Street, and the Gothic-style building was dedicated on December 25, 1931.  

The congregation sponsored several missions and daughter congregations: St. Stephens on West 7th Street, St. Mary's in Merriam Park, and St. John the Evangelist at Kent Street and Portland Avenue. The Christ Church congregation moved to Woodbury, MN, in the 1970s.