| Christ Church Detroit | |
|---|---|
| Christ Church of the City of Detroit | |
 Christ Church Detroit | |
| Location | 960 East Jefferson Ave. Detroit,Michigan |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Episcopal |
| Churchmanship | Broad Church |
| Website | christcd |
| History | |
| Founded | 1845; 180 years ago (1845) |
| Dedication | Christ the King |
| Architecture | |
| Architect | Gordon W. Lloyd |
| Architectural type | American Gothic |
| Completed | 1864 |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | limestone, sandstone, butternut |
| Administration | |
| Province | Province V |
| Diocese | Michigan |
| Clergy | |
| Bishop | Bonnie Perry |
| Rector | Emily Williams Guffey |
| Honorarypriest |
|
| Laity | |
| Organist/Director of music | Edward Maki-Schramm |
Christ Church Detroit | |
 | |
| Location | 960 East Jefferson Avenue Detroit,Michigan |
| Coordinates | 42°19′57″N83°2′5″W / 42.33250°N 83.03472°W /42.33250; -83.03472 |
| Built | 1860-1863 |
| Architect | Gordon W. Lloyd |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 71000423[1] |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | March 11, 1971 |
| Designated MSHS | November 6, 1970[2] |
Christ Church Detroit is an Episcopal church located at 960 East Jefferson Avenue inDetroit,Michigan. It is also known as Old Christ Church, Detroit. It is the oldest Protestant church in Michigan still located on its original site.[3] It was designated a Michigan State Historic Site in 1970[2] and listed on theNational Register of Historic Places in 1971.[1]
Brothers Robert (Jr.) and William Stead ran a wholesale grocery business at the present site of Christ Church until the year 1844.[4] Christ Church Detroit was founded by a group of Episcopalians in 1845, who decided thatSt. Paul's Church (now St. Paul's Cathedral) was too crowded.[5] The founders built a small wooden church, designed by LieutenantMontgomery C. Meigs, as its first place of worship. Fifteen years later, plans were laid for a new building on the same site.[6] In 1861, a chapel was constructed near the original structure for use while a larger church was constructed.[6] The present church, designed byGordon W. Lloyd, was completed in 1864.[5]
The church is built in anAmerican Gothic style, using limestone and sandstone;[5] a massive belfry with a squared-off Germanic roof[3] dominates the front facade.[6] The interior boasts transepts with galleries and hammerbeam trusses supporting the roof.[6] All interior woodwork, save the roof, is made from local butternut.[6] There are twoTiffany windows in the church,[5] with more windows designed by other famous glass companies such asFranz Meyer and Company andJ. Wippell and Co.[6]
The Christ Church building has been continuously by an Episcopalian congregation since its construction. The current Rector is the Rev. Emily Williams Guffey.[7] The congregation describes themselves as "a contemporary, well-educated, multi-racial, multi-ethnic congregation carrying out Christ's mission in the world around us, strengthened, nurtured, and guided by the presence of the Holy Spirit."[8] The next-doorSibley House serves as offices.
