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History
Founded in 1733 with the establishment of the Georgia
colony, Christ Church has known different buildings and different rectors, but it has
always stood on one foundation, Jesus Christ her Lord.
The present location of the church was designated by General James Oglethorpe in his
distinctive plan for the Savannah settlement. On the east and west side of each square in
this plan, ‘trust lots’ were set aside for public buildings. The colony’s
house of worship was assigned to an east trust lot on the first square on Bull Street, the
central street of historic Savannah, then and now. Initially, the church had neither a
building nor a name. Divine services took place in the courthouse building of the colony.
Here the two most famous rectors of Christ Church parish exercised their ministry. |
Gen. James Oglethorpe
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John Wesley
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John Wesley, the third
rector of the parish, served from 1736-1737. Although he desired to be a missionary to the
Indians, Oglethorpe assigned him to serve in Savannah. In disagreement with many in his
congregation, Wesley believed in weekly Sunday Communion and baptism by immersion. He
taught a Sunday School program for children (reputedly the first in America) and in 1737
published a Collection of Psalms and Hymns, the first English hymnal in America. His
famous conversion experience occurred after his return to England, where he continued to
serve as an Anglican priest. |
| George Whitefield succeeded
Wesley as priest responsible for the church in Savannah, serving intermittently from
1738-1740. He traveled extensively during this period, preaching with intensity and length
that often exceeded the conventions prescribed by the Book of Common Prayer. His travels
and preaching raised money for the colony’s Orphan House, which he named Bethesda. |
George Whitefield
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Early pictures and
postcards of Christ Church, dates unknown
Click image for larger view
Click image for larger view
Click image for larger view |
In 1895, fire damaged the interior of the
church. The resulting renovation created the interior form that exists today, the most
striking feature of which is the Ascension window, a memorial to Stephen Elliott. The new
interior arrangement also relocated the choir and organ to the rear gallery of the church.
The brass altar rail, lectern and pulpit survived the fire.
The musical legacy that began with John Wesley returned
with Francis Bland Tucker, rector of Christ Church from 1945-1967 and a major author of
hymn texts.
The pattern of tradition and change continue strong in
this historic parish located in the heart of Savannah. The 1928 prayer book and the 1979 prayer book are both in use, alongside the standard hymnal and a parish songbook. The parish hall that serves
Sunday School classes on Sundays also serves lunch to the homeless on weekdays. Through
word and sacrament and servant ministry, Christ Church continues to proclaim the good news
of Jesus Christ. |
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