Christ Episcopal Church 200th Anniversary

Christ Episcopal Church, the oldest Episcopal congregation in the Mississippi Diocese, will mark its 200^th anniversary with a special service and festive party. Preaching will be The Right Reverend Brian Seage, Bishop of the Diocese, who will rededicate Christ Church during his remarks. Other speakers will deliver a brief history of the church and share memories of notable church activities.

Located in a pastoral setting twenty miles north of Natchez and thirteen miles west of Fayette on Mississippi Highway 553, Christ Episcopal is a Mission Station of the Diocese of Mississippi and a Partner-in-Mission to Trinity Church, Natchez.  It was organized by The Rev. Adam Cloud, a missionary priest who first arrived in the area in 1790. Cloud was banned from the area by the Spanish government, but by 1815 he had returned and was holding church services near Church Hill.

The current church building replaces the original—a log church built in 1820 on property about a mile from the present church. Today’s church, built in 1857–58, is a pure expression of Gothic Revival architecture with original pews, chairs and marble font. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Music for the bicentennial service will be provided by the Trinity Episcopal Church Choir, under the direction of Brother Vincent Bache, OSB.

Now owned by movie producers Tate Taylor and John Norris, both communicants of Christ Church, this party at the wonderful Gothic Revival structure is offered free, and all are welcome. 2 pm on Highway 553, thirteen miles west of Fayette, Mississippi. Free transportation from Natchez is available, departing Trinity Church, 205 South Commerce St., Natchez, at 1:15 pm. Return will be about 5 pm. Reserve a place by calling Trinity Church at (601) 445-8432.