Church of God in Christ Jesus
also known as Christ Episcopal
Closed in 1981, this William R. Walker and Son-designed church was vacant for over 20 years before neglect contributed to its demise.
images of this Property
39 images: Press to view larger or scroll sideways to see more. Contributed photos from Richard Longstretch, Lou Fancy, and Mary Kate Harrington.
About this Property
Reason for Demolition
Having sat vacant for more than twenty years, the structure had deteriorated and much maintenance was required before it could be used again. While the Victorian brownstone and brick building retained some of its picturesque profile and distinctive detailing, its condition continued to get worse and worse.
The Christ Episcopal Church made the Providence Preservation Society’s Ten Most Endangered List in 1999, and PPS has worked with the church in the past. Renewed fears about the building’s status returned the structure to PPS’s Ten Most Endangered List in 2002 and 2003.
In early January 2006, the structure was taken down. The lot it used to sit on is still vacant.
Additional Links
- A video thesis project about the history of this vacant lot. A small tour group examines the remains of the building through the story-telling of a visitor on a recording
- Similar info from the Providence Preservation Society Architecture Guide
History
History prepared by Josh Jackson for the Providence Preservation Society
Despite facing discrimination and even persecution in colonial New England, by the nineteenth century the Episcopalian Church had become an integral part of New England’s cultural landscape. The Church also made an impact on the physical landscape, contributing greatly to the development of ecclesiastical architecture in Rhode Island by introducing and popularizing the English Gothic vernacular.
With its fine brickwork, asymmetrical massing and stately corner tower, the Christ Episcopal Church (1888) represents a fine example of English Gothic Revival. Established in 1864, the congregation erected a frame chapel on the site in 1867 which they moved across Eddy street when construction on the present sanctuary began. Designed by the prolific William R. Walker and Son, Christ Episcopal Church was home to the congregation for more than a century until dwindling numbers forced the church to close its doors in 1981.
Having sat vacant for more than twenty years, the structure has deteriorated and maintenance is required before it can be used again. While the Victorian brownstone and brick building still retains its picturesque profile and distinctive detailing, its condition continues to get worse. The Christ Episcopal Church made the Ten Most Endangered List in 1999, and PPS has worked with the church in the past, but renewed fears about the building’s status have returned the structure to PPS’s Ten Most Endangered List. Hope remains that a homeless congregation could rehabilitate the building, but the the fact that the church was originally built for religious purposes does not preclude its adaptation for any number of community or neighborhood uses.