Friday, October 2, 2009

Christ Episcopal Church, St. Simons Island, GA


While on our Anniversary vacation in June of 2008, George and I visited several historical areas on St. Simons Island, GA. After I posted pictures from Epworth-by-the-Sea, blogger friend CAROL reminded me how beautiful this church was. SO, today I am sharing pictures from Christ Episcopal Church on St. Simons Island.
The first English settlers arrived on St. Simons Island on Feb. 22, 1736, and after breakfast joined in reading the Litany with the Rev. Benjamin Ingham. During the years 1736-1766, services were conducted by both Charles and John Wesley and George Whitfield. These ministers were ordained clergymen of the Church of England by whom the Episcopal Church in the United States was planted and nurtured.
The first church on the present location was erected in 1820 and the congregation worshipped in it until the outbreak of the Civil War. This church was destroyed during the Civil War. The Rev. Anson Green Phelps Dodge, Jr. rebuilt Christ Church, Frederica, following the war as a memorial to his first wife, Ellen. The church was consecrated in 1886.
The present church building is cruciform in design, with trussed gothic roof. Stained-glass windows, given as memorials, commemorate incidents in the life of Christ and the early history of the church on St. Simons Island.
The graveyard beside the church is very interesting since many of the early settlers of the area are buried there. The picture above is of Christ Episcopal Church. Below are more pictures.



George stands beside the sign telling about Christ Episcopal Church.




Note the steeple, with Live Oak trees all around. Some of the oldest and largest Live Oaks are in this area of the island.



The beautiful graveyard beside the church contains many of the famous names of St. Simons and Georgia history. Included here is the grave of famous writer, Eugenia Price. If you haven't read her books, do so!



It was so much fun reading the tombstones. There's so much history in this graveyard. The oldest gravestone dates begin in 1803.



I even found a Bruce marker... Hmmmmm---wonder if we are kin??????



I even found an Elizabeth B. Bruce tombstone. Since my name is Elizabeth B., seeing that tombstone was 'spooky'... (NOTE: My name is Elizabeth Bruce Banks though instead of Elizabeth B. Bruce.)



We took a tour of the inside of the church. Part of the present altar is from the altar of the 1820 church. We sat and listened to a fabulous guide (member of the church and resident of the island) speak about the history of the church. VERY interesting!



The church is small; however, there is a very large congregation--attending worship services at various times throughout the week.



The beautiful stained-glass windows were given as memorials, and one of them was attributed to Louise Tiffany. Some of the windows commemorate incidents in the life of Christ.



This beautiful window shows the original Christ Church AND the present Christ Church. Amazing!



Here's one final picture of the outside of Christ Episcopal Church. This church is the 2nd oldest Episcopal Church in Georgia --and the 4th oldest church in the state.
I'll show more history from St. Simon's in future blogs. This is an incredible island --and if you love history, read Eugenia Price's books. AND--visit the island. (Maybe Carol will give us a review of Eugenia's St. Simons books.)
Hugs,


45 comments:

  1. theres something enchanting about old churches. makes me think how it must have looked like back then, makes me wander of those people who walks those isle.

    i've read the Epworth-by-the-sea, and i hope one day you can visit England! i've been to few cathedrals and priory and you will love it! the architecture and the way it has been sympathetically restored to its former glory is astounding!

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  2. Hi Betsy, this is a beautiful church and the stained glass windows are breathtaking. I do enjoy your wonderful journeys, thanks for sharing them.
    Pam :)

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  3. Those stain glass windows are stunning. I'm surprised they have survived all these years. Those oaks are really cool looking also.

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  4. Betsy, I did enjoy these photos and the history of this church, it is so lovely. I especially enjoyed those stained glass windows, they are so gorgeous...Thanks so much Betsy and George!!!

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  5. ...very beautiful, inside and out, but I especially love the outside with all the Live Oaks as a background. The cemetery is beautiful too. It reminds me a bit of the cemetery at Savannah...lots of history there as well. Feb 22 is my birthday...the day they arrived!

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  6. Hey Betsy! Thanks for a re-vist to one of my favorite places! I went there in search of Eugenia Price.
    After reading the trilogy of books set in St.Simons I had to see it!
    All of the real charecters she brought back to life in those books are buried at Christ Church.
    She is probably my all favorite writer of historical fiction! I have the complete collection of her books! xoxo

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  7. The church is beautiful but I really loved the graveyard! I enjoy looking for and reading old tombstones.So happy you like the new blog look! Have a blessed weekend

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  8. Forgot to say, yes, thats a photo of Dry Falls.

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  9. A very charming and scenic visit for sure...wow! what amazing stained windows! I will have to look up Eugenia Price as I did not recognize her name. Your island visit must have been wonderful..your photos are gorgeous..such greens and so many huge oak trees. The church look quite enchanting..I'm glad you shared this trip with us!

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  10. This church is absolutely beautiful. I am looking forward to more of your photos from St. Simeons. I love that Island. I used to have a friend that lived there and went there once. There are so many places to see.

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  11. This church is beautiful inside and out. I bet it would be interesting to sit and listen to the history of it.

    We find walking thru old cemeteries fun too! You can read lots of history on the markers.

    Hope you guys have a great weekend Betsy!

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  12. There is so much to learn every day.Your blog is one of the places where I can find lots of information.Thanks for sharing yet another lovely place.It is great to see the churches active in many different places.Together we make up the Church of Christ.Isn't that neat,we are all brothers and sisters in Christ.
    Blessings,Ruth

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  13. The cemetary caught my interest with the beautiful oaks and hanging moss.
    There are so many untold stories on each grave stone.
    Enjoy your weekend.

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  14. What a beautiful place!! I love the low country!!

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  15. What a beautiful church. I love the shape of the windows and of course the stained glass is breathtaking.
    Marnie

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  16. During my first trip to the US, we visited Washington DC, we went to Arlington and we went to Monticello and we visited the old graveyard there (I believe the one you tried to visit in your recent post).

    When we came home and I showed pictures of our trip to the relatives, they asked me where were the Disneylands and the Hollywood signs and the New York skyscrapers of the US! It was rather funny that I went to visit graveyards in the US.

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  17. What a beautiful place! I love the church and its grand stained glass windows, but my favorite thing is all those live oak trees with the Spanish moss. And like you, Betsy, and other commenters, I love the graveyards and like to imagine the story behind the tombstones. Amazing that you found someone with such a similar name!

    Thanks for sharing your trip with us, Betsy!

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  18. Wow Betsy what an excellent post. I love old Churches and even older cemetaries. Cemetaries out here don't go back as far as Eastern or southern ones do. I have never found my maiden name in any cemetary. What's up with that. ---well except my father's. Keep up the good work or play. MB

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  19. This post takes me back to our own visits to the Golden Isles of Georgia. What a wonderful and historic area. I also read the Eugenia Price books before we went for the first time. While she is far from my favorite historical fiction writer, I did spend quite a bit of time looking for the graves of the characters in her novels. You might want to read some of them this winter.

    Great post, Betsy!

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  20. Such a pretty little church. I love the beautiful windows. Wandering through grave yards is always fun.

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  21. Betsy,
    Beautiful place. St. Simon's looks like a wonderful place to visit.

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  22. Beautiful church but couldn't help but be happy I didn't have to dust the rafters...:-)

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  23. This is some post. I enjoyed all the pictures.

    No, the birds blog is still here. You can go to Pick a Peck of Pixels and then click on it from the navigation bar at the top of my blog.

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  24. Beautiful pictures. I collect pictures of church windows, so hope you don't mind if I copied and saved a couple of yours for my own enjoyment.

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  25. I love old churches; the older the better. Of course, I'm not a bit influenced by the fact that I worship in an Episcopal Church, but I think very old Episcopal churches are among the most beautiful. Tiny, in most cases, but lovely.

    Thanks for sharing these photos from St. Simons.

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  26. Ah Betsy, just beautiful. Thanks for sharing this beautiful church and area with us. I fell in love with the church, inside and out!

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  27. Betsy,
    Your posts always provide a wonderful, daily mini-vacation, always delightful and interesting.
    The stained glass windows are magnificent.
    It would definately spook me to see my name on a headstone!
    Enjoy your day.
    Sunny :)

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  28. What a neat church! and I do find old graveyards fascinating. But that is creepy to find one with your name (or a similar name) on it. Yikes!

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  29. Betsy,
    The Christ Episcopal Church in St. Simonds Island is beautiful. I loved the stained-glass windows and the steeple. What an interesting history the church has. Thanks for sharing this wonderful posting about the lovely church.

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  30. A charming little church, with a pretty steeple. Love the interior shots, too.

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  31. It's a pretty little church. The inside looks a bit dark, though. I hope it's not musty.

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  32. So beautiful. I love old historic churches.
    I've read a lot of the Eugenia Price book based in that area. Such good books. I highly recommend them too.


    Joy

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  33. It is a beautiful old church!! have a great weekend..m..

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  34. Betsy, that is such a beautiful church. I love the stained glass and those old trees are just magnificent. Hope you have a wonderful weekend! Hugs from Daisy.

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  35. Hi Betsy!! Oh my! I sure did enjoy your pictures and bio of this lovely and beauteeeful old church!!

    Co-incidently, I received the plots map of my hometown cemetery, just yesterday, and sent out payment for my lot and for perpetual care. Now to buy some good life insurance with honest agents!!

    ((Hugs))

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  36. You always have such interesting posts...Thanks for the tour!

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  37. Very interesting Betsy. I enjoyed reading about this church.

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  38. lovely post. I love oak trees dripping with moss,,, ah reminds me of home. thanks for the memories.
    Spirithelpers

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  39. I am so sorry about your bother. I am praying for you and your family....Sending love your way...m..

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  40. Oh, Betsy, you've stolen my heart with this post. I LOVE Eugenia Prices books and St. Simon's is one of my favorite places to visit and talk about. Here’s a link to a post I wrote about St. Simon’s last year.
    We took all our kids and grandkids there for Thanksgiving weekend last year.
    Great post... great photos... great information.
    Meems @ Hoe and Shovel

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  41. I spent a lot of time in the Savannah area but for some reason I never made it to St. Simons Island, and I read the Eugenia Price books. Oh well, I will visit it with your stories and wonderful photos.

    The church is so beautiful with all the stained glass, the colors on the one in the first photo are amazing.

    I am looking forward to seeing more photos from this beautiful island.

    Hugs,
    Judy

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  42. What a charming church! I love the beams above the sanctuary. You and George have visited some very lovely places!

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  43. What a beautiful memorial you have written to your brother!

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  44. What a pretty church in a lovely setting!

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