Christ Church's History
The Congregational Church is on the lefty and our fist church building is on the right in this early picture.
In 1722, the New Haven community was shocked to learn that several Congregational leaders had decided to become Episcopalians. After much study of the Book of Common Prayer, the Rev. Timothy Cutler, President of Yale; Mr. David Brown, a Yale Tutor; the Rev. Samuel Johnson, the West Haven Congregational Minister; and the Rev. James Wetmore declared that their Congregational ordination was invalid. Their decision was announced at Yale’s Commencement, as they affirmed their belief in Episcopacy. Many pressures were brought to bear on these men.
Undaunted, they sailed to England to be ordained at the hands of an English bishop. There the Rev. Brown, a very promising West Haven native, died of smallpox. Had he returned to Connecticut with the others, he would probably have become founder and first minister of the West Haven parish. It fell to the Rev. Samuel Johnson, founder of the church in Stratford, to be the missionary to encourage West Haveners to form an Episcopal society in their town. For several years, these dedicated families met in each other’s homes, strengthened by an occasional visit from the Rev. Mr. Johnson. He was at the time the only missionary in Connecticut and had to travel widely. Many other Episcopal societies were started by him and his successors. Under their spiritual leadership, Christ Church thus became the Mother Church for the central Connecticut area.
Construction of the first building began in 1739, in part from oak timbers hewn on the present Green. By 1742, services were being held in the building. The parish owned its own folio Bible and Prayer Book, presented by the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel and now in the Diocesan Archives. The parish also owns, and takes great pride in, a handsome pewter chalice and paten, made in 1744 for Christ Church by Joseph Leddell. Such time-honored possessions form a visible link with those loyal church-members of the past.
Through the span of years, the parish suffered reverses, actually closing from 1830 to 1837. Eventually this valiant parish opened again to renewed service and usefulness.
In the mid-nineteenth century, the church at last had its own rector, not shared with other parishes as had been the case previously. The small building was enlarged several times and it was a struggle to meet expenses. Many outstanding spiritual leaders gave the parish impetus and guidance during this era, among them the Rev. Alonzo Chapin, Edwin Lines (later a bishop), Hobart Whitney, and Richmond Gesner.
In 1900, a dynamic young rector, Arthur J. Gammack, led the parish to the goal of a new church building. The old building was tottering and $4400 raised in part by the Rev. Lines, was already in hand. The Rev. G. B. Morgan of New Haven introduced Mrs. Lucy Boardman to Christ Church. She offered to give $45,000 for the new church, if the parish raised an equal sum. Times were hard, but the money was found through much individual and parish effort. The architectural firm of Cram, Goodhue, and Ferguson was chosen to design the building.
Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue, architect of Christ Church, with is partners at Cram, Goodhue and Ferguson, were the architects responsible for many notable structures. Prominent in their field for many years, their best-known works include the Cathedral of St. John the Divine and St. Thomas’s in New York City and the Cadet Chapel at West Point. They also designed, as their first church, All Saints’ in Ashmont Massachusetts. “A significant landmark in American architectural history,” says Tucci, “All saints’ is of its type Cram and Goodhue’s masterpiece, and the model for American parish church architecture for the first half of the 20th century.” Christ Church although on a smaller scale (often called a small gem!) has many similarities to Ashmont, the outstanding features and innovations of which Christ Church reflects. It has been said “the wonderful charm and uplifting effect that one feels…upon entering (the building is) due to the exquisite proportions and to the presence of many arches…Devotional in every line, it rises among us like a prayer in stone.”
The handsome Gothic structure was guild on the site of the then-existing Parish House which was moved. After completion, the new church opened with consecration by the Rt. Rev. Chauncey Bunce Brewster, fifth bishop of Connecticut. The disposal of the original building became a serious problem. Much sentiment clung to the building, but it had become an eyesore, useless for any practical purpose. Since religious services were being held in Oriental Park (now the Thomas Street area) without a permanent meeting place, a new drive was begun. Land was given by Martha Prudden and out of the historic timbers of the old Christ Church, the framework of the Chapel of Saint Martin’s-in-the-field took shape. This completed mission, started in 1908 and dedicated in 1911m contained the windows, pews, and reredos of the original Christ Church. In 1976 the mission was closed and the parish no longer owns the building.
The wood panels and the wood carving in the chancel and the Lady Chapel contain much detail and symbolism, sometimes intricate yet blending into the total effect.
Many furnishings of the original 1739 wooden church structure have been incorporated into the present church and parish house, while maintaining the unity of the 1906 church design. The altar from our first building, for example, was returned after the closure of St. Martin's in the Fields and now stands in our sanctary at the back of the church.
We have tried to maintain our church as we were urged to do when the church was new. “We owe it to ourselves,” says a parish paper from that time, “and…to the architect (Goodhue) who has given to this cause a devotion which no money could recompense, that we consider his intention and wish in further efforts to beautify the building.”
In 1909, a promising new rectorate, that of the Rev. Floyd S. Kenyon, began. His term lasted through the Depression and the hardship of two World Wars, until his retirement in 1949. During his early years, perhaps, the most notable achievements were the founding of the Knights of Washington and the establishment of Camp Washington. Bishop Brewster said, “There is …no parish in the Diocese where there has been so much accomplishment of substantial result the same short span of time.” Expansion took place on a large scale: a new parish house and a gymnasium were constructed; St. Martin’s-in-the-field began missionary work in Savin Rock, and the Chapel of the Good Shepherd and its parish house opened in Tyler City. Assisting the parish during this time was the beloved Rev. Robert H. Johnson, Curate and Vicar of the Church of the Ascension.
The Rev. Robert D. Martin, a curate with much responsibility during the difficult post-war years, became rector in 1949. During his tenure, the Y.P.F. (Young Peoples Fellowship) was a special strength, pledge giving doubled, and a $25,000 restoration program repaired the shabby church.
The Rev. Jervis S. Zimmerman, a chaplain at Norwich State Hospital, accepted the next appointment as rector in 1954. Parish achievements under his leadership included a Parish House addition for expanded church school and kitchen purposes, a handsomely renovated rectory, and a deepening of parish cohesiveness, lay leadership and spiritual values. His wide background especially in counseling and pastoral care, combined with seven years in the Presbyterian ministry, equipped him for the challenges he faced during his thirteen-year rectorship.
Last, but not least, was the establishment of the Thrift Shop. Betty Williams, Sylvia and Albert Stocker and Ella Scranton suggested to Rev. Zimmerman about opening a thrift shop to help needy families as well as to help the church financially. In the mid-sixties the Thrift Shop opened in the basement of the parish house, but soon it outgrew this space and moved to the bottom floor of the house at 38 Church Street. The Thrift Shop was open for more than 40 years and became a staple for many families in the community. From used clothes to kitchenware, bric-a-brac and furniture, the Thrift Shop grew under the leadership of Sylvia Stocker and her crew providing outreach services for many people and brought in a significant income for the parish. Rev. Zimmerman resigned in 1967 to accept the new Diocesan position of Administrator of the Department of Christian Social Relations.
The Rev. Robert W. Anthony came to Christ Church in 1968 from Rhode Island. During his tenure from 1968 to 1976, Rev. Anthony brought a forceful and creative leadership. His energy was especially appealing to the youth in the parish. Through his guidance, Nebuchadnezzar’s Furnace was established. This program provided a place for young people not only from the parish but also from the community to come together on a Saturday night to socialize, listen to local bands and dance. Finally, the parish block was unified at this time combining the church and parish house with 38 Church which used as the Thrift Shoppe downstairs and housing for the sexton and 44 Church being the rectory.
In 1976 Reverend Anthony departed and the parish called the Rev. John C. Seville who served for five years. During this time the church was again renovated.
The Rev. Magar Bedrosian, an experienced and forthright priest, was our priest from 1983 thru 1993. The parish continues and endures, as it has for more than 260 years.
As Christ Church entered 1980s and 1990s, the parish continued to be a prominent presence in the City of West Haven. The years brought a new focus on serving the community. Our church school students help collect items to create Easter baskets for needy children in our schools. The Outreach Committee found many ways to help those in need. Christ Church was the first host of West Haven’s Ecumenical Thanksgiving Dinner
As the new century rolled around, the parish noted a loss of funds which caused it to change to a part-time versus full-time rector. The Rev. Canon K. Dexter Cheney began to serve as priest for both Christ Church and St. John’s by the Sea. St. John’s also was suffering from financial difficulties. Discussion began on the possibility of the two parishes merging.
Clergy of Christ Episcopal Church
The Rev. Samuel Johnson.................... 1723-1737
The Rev. Johnson Arnold..................... 1737-1739
The Rev. Theophilus Morris................ 1739-1742
The Rev. James Lyon............................ 1743-1747
The Rev. Dr. Richard Mansfield.......... 1749-1755
The Rev. Ebenezer Punderson.............. 1755-1762
The Rev. Solomon Palmer.................... 1763-1766
The Rev. Bela Hubbard, D.D............... 1767-1812
Bishop Abraham Jarvis......................... 1802-1804
The Rev. William Smith...................... 1814-1820
The Rev. Joseph Perry.......................... 1820-1825
The Rev. William T. Potter................. 1826-1830
The Rev. Stephen Jewett...................... 1837-1837
The Rev. Servilius Stocking................. 1837-1839
The Rev. A. B. Chapin.......................... 1839-1849
The Rev. Dr. N. S. Richardson............. 1850-1852
The Rev. Henry F. M. Whitesides....... 1852-1853
The Rev. Henry Zell............................. 1853-1863
The Rev. David F. Lumsden................. 1863-1863
The Rev. G. Saltsonstall Coit............... 1863-1865
The Rev. Oliver S. Prescott.................. 1865-1869
The Rev. Jared B. Flagg, D.D............... 1869-1869
The Rev. DeWitt C. Loop.................... 1870-1871
The Rev. Charles Collard Adams......... 1872-1873
The Rev. Edwin S. Lines...................... 1874-1879
The Rev. Edward W. Worthington..... 1879-1882
The Rev. Jacob Streibert....................... 1882-1885
The Rev. Allen E. Beeman.................... 1885-1886
The Rev. Hobart B. Whitney............... 1886-1895
The Rev. Richmond H. Gesner............ 1895-1900
The Rev. Arthur J. Gammack............... 1900-1909
The Rev. Floyd Steele Kenyon, D.D.... 1909-1949
The Rev. Robert D. Martin.................. 1949-1954
The Rev. Jervis S. Zimmerman............ 1954-1967
The Rev. Robert W. Anthony.............. 1968-1976
The Rev. John C. Seville...................... 1976-1981
The Rev. Arthur J. Monk..................... 1981-1982
The Rev. Magar Bedrosian................... 1983-1993
The Rev. Lynne Grifo.......................... 1994-1999
The Rev. Halsey (Chip) Stevens.......... 2000-2004
The Rev. Canon K. Dexter Cheney……2004-2008
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