February 22, 2012 |
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Worship Times
Holy Eucharist 10:30 a.m. Sunday 8:30 a.m. Tuesday 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, followed by a light meal and discussion Christian Formation 9:00 a.m. Sunday Adult Formation
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History of Christ Church In February 1997, a Tuesday night Bible study with six people began at the Andy and Frances Huber's home. Over 18 months numbers grew sufficient for regular Sunday worship. On June 21, 1998, the Alleghany Episcopal Mission held its first Sunday service in the community room of Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation in downtown Sparta.
Father Barry Kramer and Father Chuck Blanck led the congregation in its infancy, bringing the membership together around the liturgy and traditions of the Episcopal Church.
In January 1999 the mission began sharing a church through the generosity of Antioch Methodist Church, and on July 4, 1999, Father Stanley E. McGraw officially began his tenure as priest-in-charge. Christ Church was granted full parish status at the Diocese of Western North Carolina Convention on November 9, 2000.
Through the generous donation of 10 acres of land by church members, Bill and Denise Graham, construction of a permanent church building became a reality in 2001. The church, dedicated and consecrated on Easter Sunday, 2002, was built on faith. That faith was repaid when Mary Jane and Jack Hanley issued a challenge grant to pay off the mortgage so that monies being spent on loan repayment could be freed for outreach. The congregation answered the call and on October 16, 2005, the mortgage was burned. We have a wonderful facility for worship and for implementing our outreach program. A memorial garden was completed soon afterwards. Upon Father McGraw’s retirement, Father Blanck returned as the Priest In Charge. He served until his own retirement in December, 2008 when Father Kramer returned as the interim rector. In May 2010, Christ Church hired its first full-time rector, Father Lin Walton. The Vestry prayerfully considered the covenant that was made by the original founders of the church to care for one another, to care for those less fortunate and to stand as witness to God's unconditional ove when it issued this call to install Christ Church/s first full time minister.
Together, blessed with God's presence and grace, the church plans to continue to "be a home for all in the sharing of God's unconditional love."
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© 2012 Christ Church
