Our Vision

Christ Church has put forth the vision of a parish that is living the Baptismal Covenant.  The core message of the covenant, as found in our prayer book, asks us “with God’s help" to "seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving [our] neighbors as [ourselves]"; to "strive for justice and peace among all people"; and "to respect the dignity of every human being.”  (BCP, p. 305)

Our Mission

As followers of Christ, we share the beauty and the power of God's transforming love through our worship, community, and service in the world.

Our Legacy

1815     Brandywine Manufacturers’ Sunday School (BMSS) founded by Eleuthère Irénée du Pont
1817     BMSS incorporated; new school built, Victorine du Pont Bauduy, Superintendent
1848     Christ Church Christiana Hundred (CCCH) organized; The Rev. Samuel C. Brinckle, first rector
1851     CCCH recognized as a parish by Diocesan Convention; first Vestry meeting
1856     Present church constructed, designed by Richard Gilpin; first organ installed;
              Alexis Irénée du Pont instrumental in church completion; first service, May 4
1857     First of several powder mill explosions to damage church
1859     Bell installed in steeple
1866     Women’s Auxiliary founded
1872     CCCH incorporated 
1885     Church Missionary Society begun
1892     Rectory built on Buck Road; gift of Sophie Madeleine du Pont and family
1899     First Parish House built
1914     Church renovations made; fund established for professional Christ Church Choir
1916     Mosaic altar installed
1939     Present Rectory built; gift of Henry Francis du Pont
1942     Pew rentals end; community welcomed; Christmas Eve services begun
1943     Altar Guild organized
1948     CCCH consecrated, 100th Anniversary Celebration
1952     New Parish House and Chapel of the Christ Child dedicated;
              Chapel given in memory of Richard Chichester du Pont by his mother, Mary Chichester du Pont
1954     Green Show begun
1962     Church School Christmas Pageant begun
1979     Volunteer St. Cecilia Choir founded
1983     Needlepoint kneelers dedicated; The Rev. Sarah Chandler, first female Associate Rector
1990     Present organ installed
1994     Memorial Garden completed
1998     150th Anniversary Celebration
2000     Parish Center addition dedicated by Bishop Wayne P. Wright
2001     Family and youth work camps in the Dominican Republic begun
2002     New Cross on the high altar dedicated by The Rev. John W. Martiner
2006     Christ Church Episcopal Preschool opened
2007     Celebration of a New Ministry service with The Rev. Ruth Lawson Kirk
2008     Completion of renovations to main church

Our History

The Early Years:

Christ Church Christiana Hundred emanated from the Brandywine Manufacturers’ Sunday School, begun in 1815 in a building now part of the Hagley Museum.  In 1817, with land and funds donated by Eleuthère Irénée du Pont, founder of the DuPont Company, a larger school building was erected.  The space was shared by several faith communities with the school offering both religious and secular education.

Between 1841 and 1854, four Christian congregations were formed from the school:  St. Joseph’s on the Brandywine (Catholic), Mt. Salem Methodist, Green Hill Presbyterian, and Christ Church (cornerstone dated 1848).  Our present church (Gothic Revival style) was completed in 1856, with its first service on May 4.  For many years the congregation was small, comprised largely of du Pont family members, staff, and mill workers.  The church program consisted of Sunday worship, Church School, and pastoral care, with special emphasis given to choirs, music, and missionary (outreach) work.  A book by Charles Silliman tells the story of the comings and goings of clergy and people during this time and later.

The Pivotal Years:

In 1942, with the arrival of Dr. William Munds as Rector, the following changes ensued:  pew rentals ceased; the congregation expanded to include people from the community; and a cross replaced a weathervane on the church’s steeple.  These changes enabled the parish to grow and to reflect more clearly its Episcopal /Anglican heritage and traditions.  During this period, the church was consecrated, the Chapel of the Christ Child was given, and a balcony was added to the main church, allowing for more worship space.

With the ministry of Dr. John O’Hear (1960-1981), the church continued to grow numerically and spiritually.  Amid the turbulent 60’s, Christ Church rose to the challenge to be a community of hope and reconciliation in the greater Wilmington area.  Seminars on racial justice took place in the Parish Hall, and leaders in the congregation started the West Center City Day Care Nursery.  Many memorable assistant clergy served the parish, further developing its youth programs and the Church School.

While the 60’s and 70’s were marked by social concerns and continued outreach, many also felt the need to improve and upgrade the church’s property.  The Rev. Adam Lewis (1983-1994) seemed well-suited to the task.  Under his leadership, the church was completely restored, and a new Brombaugh tracker organ was given in memory of Victorine du Pont Bauduy, founder and Superintendant of the Brandywine Sunday School, and her sisters.  Other renovations were made.  The Parish House was redecorated, enabling a more efficient and attractive office area for an enlarging church staff.  Eleven acres were procured with a home to be used for staff housing.  Members pledged funds for a Memorial Garden, dedicated in 1994.  Its lovely setting (opposite the church) and large steel cross bear witness to the truth that in Christ we are all part of the Community of Saints, joined together as one in this life and forever.

Recently:

In 1995, The Rev. John Martiner became the parish’s Rector, seeking a new emphasis in several areas.  These included:  a more open, hospitable environment, especially for children and young families; the encouragement of diverse ministries and faithful, scripturally-based stewardship; a worship style that was broad and representative of the rich variety of liturgy in the Church; greater support and
strengthening of the music, pastoral care, and outreach ministries within the parish and the community; and growth in our knowledge and love of God as a people of prayer and spirituality.

1998 was particularly notable as Christ Church celebrated its 150th birthday and, for the first time in its history, pledging exceeded $1,000,000.  Especially meaningful, our parishioners (with Habitat for Humanity) built two houses in Wilmington as the Vestry resolved to “double tithe” by giving 20% of our income to work outside the parish.

A lengthy review and planning process led to the recognition of the necessity for further renovations to the Parish Hall, additional multipurpose space, and increased parking to better serve, in God’s name, the diverse needs of our growing parish and the community.  A building campaign was begun and its goals realized, thanks to the generosity of our parishioners.  In 2000, a new Parish Center, adjacent to the Parish Hall, was dedicated as part of the overall project.

Other initiatives helped to deepen our spirituality and service as children and adults.  Family and youth work camps to the Dominican Republic began.  Two pilgrimages to Israel and one to Ireland were held, and a new cross for the high altar, with related teaching, was installed.  And in September of 2006, after much discernment, we joyously opened our new Christ Church Episcopal Preschool, offering a carefully developed curriculum in the Episcopal tradition to children within Christ Church and the community.

Now:

On July 12, 2007, The Rev. Ruth Lawson Kirk accepted a call by the Vestry to become the 15th, and first female, Rector with Christ Church.  Ruth, her husband Rick, and their children Matthew and Sarah moved into the Rectory in late August.  They were warmly welcomed by parishioners as Ruth prepared to begin her ministry with the church on September 4.

Since then, Ruth has been busy getting to know all of us, carefully listening to us (and we to her) as we share our hopes and dreams for Christ Church.  Quietly and joyfully, we have been walking together with Ruth in this year of new ministry, discerning together God’s will for our parish and our service to others in the wider community.  Our path is prayerfully unfolding amid much discussion, work, and accomplishments.

In December, the parish completed a successful Capital Campaign begun the previous year, reflecting our understanding of responsible stewardship as resulting from the generosity we see in Christ Jesus and the gifts we can offer in return.  These funds made possible (among other needs) a larger vestibule to one side of the church and the addition of a handicapped-accessible restroom on the opposite side.  This summer our youth will participate in a pilgrimage to Greece and take part again, with other families, in a work camp, building a community center near Santa Domingo.

We are blessed with devoted parishioners, beautiful buildings and grounds, faithful worship, exceptional music, diverse outreach to the community, and so much more.  We look forward--with gratitude--to sharing these gifts of the Holy Spirit with you.  “I am trusting in the partnership of the Holy Spirit at work among us,” said Ruth, “to create a life giving pastoral relationship and a ministry serving God together.”  (Communicator, 9/07)

We invite you to come to Christ Church, join in this partnership, and worship with us as we joyously serve together in God's name.