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 | "Putting the word of Christ into action" Christ Episcopal Church,
Roxbury, Ct.
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| | Parish History
The Reverend George Pigot and the Reverend Samuel Johnson visited this area of Connecticut as early as the 1720’s as missionaries of the Church of England. The formal organization of Christ Church took place in 1740 under the leadership of the Rev. John Beach, priest of the parish of Newton. Christ Church is believed to be the oldest Anglican parish in Litchfield County.
The first church building was erected in Roxbury shortly after 1740 at the “old center” which is one mile south of the present village center, and now known as “Old Roxbury Road.” The present church building, parish hall and rectory are situated on a single parcel of about 3.5 acres located on the corner of Weller's Bridge Road and North Street. The property, a focal point of the town, is in the center of the historic district next to the Town Green.
The present church was erected in 1807 and originally faced east. In 1861 it was turned to its present position facing south and was completely renovated. The chancel was added at that time and the present pews were installed. The stained glass windows date from that period forward. Click the link below to read our full parish history-
Parish History ****** The Rectory
One North Street, the rectory for Christ Church since 1846, was at one time the town tavern, overlooking the Green. It consists of the original c.1740 colonial with romantic enhancements including a dormer, large south facing open porch and a three story Greek Revival addition c.1845. There have been more than eight owners including Roswell Ransom who commanded the tavern, and the Rev. George Foote who sold the property to the church. ****** The Parish House
The Parish House is a separate building which was once the Roxbury Center School, a typical "one room" schoolhouse. In 1942 the schoolhouse was closed and sold to Christ Church. The parish has memories for many of the townspeople who received their initial education there in the 1920's and 1930's. In 1994 with an approved plan for the renovation of the parish house we began the task of raising $200,000. These funds were used in the acquisition of an additional 2 acres for increased parking, new septic system and improvements to the well. For the building itself there were new lavatories, enlarged main meeting hall, new electrical wiring, a new kitchen with dishwasher and state of the art appliances as well as the addition of a church office. The basement which historically was damp and water laden from every passing storm, was refinished. This gave us dry space for classrooms, with separate entrance and storage space. Upstairs in the main hall, acoustical ceiling and floor tiles were installed as well as new chandeliers. In early 1997 with all the interior work completed on the parish house we entered into phase II, the sandblasting and staining of the Parish House. In 2004, the lower level church school area was redecorated and new tile flooring installed. Today the parish house provides a comfortable modern meeting place for parish members and the community.
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The Columbarium
Located on the lawn between the church and the rectory, the Columbarium offers a holy resting place for the ashes of departed loved ones. The slate topped round structure provides 58 compartments each housing 2 cylinders. Those interred there are identified by simple brass memorial plates. The Memory Garden inside the Columbarium contains brick pavers which may be engraved as memorials or thanksgivings. Both are beautifully landscaped and maintained, and managed by the Rector and Vestry. For more information on the Columbarium, please call the church office at 860-355-3695. |
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