Christ Church

Christ Church. . , This is the third building for the parish of Christ Church, Westerly, organized in 1834. The cornerstone of the present building, designed in the Gothic Revival style, was laid in 1891 and the completed church was consecrated on October 16, 1894., The architect, Henry Congdon (1834-1922) of New York City, specialized in Episcopal church design. Christ Church was constructed of blue and red Westerly granite quarried locally by the Smith Granite Co. In 1905 a ten-bell chime, cast by the Meneely Bell Co. of Troy, New York, was installed in the tower capped with a spire to give the church its present-day appearance., The church interior was renovated in 1964. At that time the organ and choir area was relocated from the chancel to the rear of the building and housed in a newly constructed balcony featuring the superb C.B. Fisk organ donated on June 13, 1965., One of the highlights of Christ Church is the stained glass, installed over a span from 1892 to 2008. Designers include Charles Booth of London and New Jersey; Connick Associates, Boston; Reynolds, Francis and Rohnstock, also of Boston; and Belgian-born local artist, Herman Verbinnen. The St. Nicholas Chapel in the undercroft features windows by Whippell and Co., Exeter England., With its prominent tower and exceptional stone work, Christ Church is a major presence in this corner of the historic downtown area.