Christ Church, Anglican- 1844

Christ Church, Anglican- 1844. Looks like stone… but made of wood. Architecturally, Christ Church is one of the most significant church buildings left in all of Canada. It was built in 1844 on the site of the original Court House of the London District, the church is special because, although built of wood, it looks like stone. The exterior is clad with flush-boarding, beveled and grooved to replicate ashlar masonry. Thicker planks of wood on the corners imitate the quoins or cornerstones. The textural illusion of stone was strengthened when the church was first built by dashing fine sand against the freshly painted walls., Little has changed inside the church since it first opened. Noted cabinet maker Archibald Reid constructed the pews, stairs and solid walnut pulpit. The pews are made of pine, but as the Gothic Revival style became popular in the 1880s, it was felt that oak was more "authentic" for wood surfaces in a house of worship. As a result, the pine was painted with a faux oak grain finish. One of the many things that did not change is the windows which are all original in their Regency style. While the interior is not fancy, it is tasteful, simple, respectful and serene., In her authoritative book on church architecture of Upper Canada, "Hallowed Walls", the respected historian Marion MacRae stated that "of the timber churches which were designed in the continuing Georgian tradition, one of the handsomest yet standing is Christ Church, Vittoria"., Christ Church closed to weekly services in 1976 and became a Chapel-of-Ease. A group of Trustees with the Parish of Long Point Bay have been responsible for the church ever since. Annual services are held the first Sunday of June and third Sunday of September.