The oldest religious facility in Harrison County to continuously host the same denomination, Christ Episcopal Church in Clarksburg is a recognized landmark in West Virginia. Prior to the completion of construction in 1854, the Episcopal Church was present in Clarksburg but lacked a permanent home and continuing services of a resident clergy.
The Reverend William Ward was the first Episcopal minister to live in Clarksburg, arriving in the mid-1830s and remaining until 1837. The Rt. Reverend William Meade made the first Episcopal visitation in 1834. In September of 1852, Bishop Meade sent the Reverend R. A. Castleman, a newly ordained Deacon to Clarksburg as a missionary. Reverend Castleman would be ordained as a presbyter in November, of 1853. He enthusiastically sought new members and funding for a permanent place of worship, thus establishing the active parish life of Christ Church.
Construction was started on the present facility in 1852. Christ Church was consecrated debt free to God on 20 April 1856. Upon the departure of Reverend Castleman in 1858, services were limited to a bi-monthly schedule. During the early years of the Civil War, Christ Church was appropriated as a garrison for Federal troops; consequently, the church interior was subjected to significant damage. Regular services were not resumed until 1872.
In 1876 after much debate, the formation of the Diocese of West Virginia was presented before the Council of Virginia. The recommendation made by the clergy and laity representatives of West Virginia was relative to the separation from Virginia. Participants of the conference held in Parkersburg voted overwhelmingly in favor of the separation and won approval from the General Council at that time. On Ascension Day in 1887, the Rt. Reverend George W. Peterkin was consecrated as West Virginia’s first Bishop.
By the end of 1891 Christ Church was self-sustaining when it purchased the rectory adjacent to church property. In 1893 several improvements were made to the original structure which included: enlargement of the altar area, addition of the vestry room, Installation of a pipe organ, removal of the slave galleries, addition to the chancel end of the church, and rearrangement of the pews to provide a central aisle.
The first Parish House (now the gymnasium, nursery, and music room) was completed in 1910 and became a focal point for ministry to young men and boys in the community. The current Parish House was completed in 1925.
As one of the oldest churches in the area, Christ Church was responsible for the founding of other (Episcopal) area churches. St. Thomas, Northview, was established in the spring of 1899 as a Mission Church and held services in a small schoolhouse on the outskirts of town. All Saints Mission, a predominantly African American congregation, operated as an independent church from 1940-1962. Upon closing its doors, the majority of the congregation transferred to Christ Church.
In 1967 land was purchased in Bridgeport with the objective of establishing an Episcopal church in that community. Ground was broken in June of 1968. A rectory was purchased in December of 1969 and the first service was held at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church was in January of 1969. St. Barnabas achieved full parish status in 1983. Reduction in membership forced it to join the North Central Cluster, and in 1999 it merged with Christ Church to Become St. Barnabas Chapel. The congregations from both churches began to operated under one vestry with two worship sites, and St. Barnabas Preschool was established in November 1999.
Upon his arrival in October of 1993, Reverend Scott T. Holcombe found Christ Church to be in need of major repair. He was instrumental in the extensive reconstruction completed at Christ Church which included: a total renovation of the sanctuary, repair and refurnishing of the stained glass windows, installation of a new heating and air conditioning system, new roof, replacement windows in the Parish House and gymnasium, building a Columbarium in the Memorial Garden, and a new Courtyard Garden and a parking lot. Thanks to Father Scott and the efforts of numerous devoted parishioners, the Rt. Reverend John Smith, 6th Bishop of West Virginia, rededicated Christ Church at a Festival Eucharist in August, 1997.
The Reverend Dr. John W. T. Weise served as Interim Rector 2001-2002. The Reverend Philip Bottomley was rector from 2002-2005 when he left the Episcopal Church to become a rector in the Anglican Community. Bishop Alex Black of the Lutheran church served as supply priest until the arrival of the Reverend J. Michael Jupin as interim in January 2006.
Christ Church elects a nine-member vestry that represents both church sites and that serves a three-year term. One of the more active parishes in the Diocese, the Christ Church congregation has recently hosted two Diocesan conventions and numerous Diocesan meetings and conferences. In 2003, Christ Church proudly celebrated “150 years of Serving Christ and Community.” Parish members actively participate within our Deanery, the Diocese, and in the National Church. Our service to the community includes a richness of music and worship programs and a variety of outreach programs and activities.
Some recent activities have included musical productions, an outdoor labyrinth, hand bell workshops, community Veteran’s Day services, Clarksburg Mission projects, week-day spring music concerts with lunch served, Shrove Tuesday pancake feeds, a Fall Bazaar, and opening the church doors for midday prayer and contemplation. Christ Church has been described as “one of the more colorful parishes of the diocese,” because of the beauty of the stained glass windows.
Sunday services at Christ Church are held at 8:00 a.m. (Rite I) and at 10:30 a.m. (Rite II). A more contemporary “Come As You Are” service is held at St. Barnabas Chapel on Saturday evening. We also celebrate a variety of liturgies and special services at both sites throughout the year. Learn more about our worship times and services.
