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.
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. Services
have been held at our new church home since Easter Sunday, March
31st, 2002. We have a wonderful facility for worship and for
implementing our outreach program. As of December 1, 2003, Father
Chuck Blanck has resumed his ministry at Christ Church as our
priest-in-charge.
The Episcopal Church
We welcome you to the Episcopal Church. The Episcopal Church is
part of the Anglican communion throughout the world. We have no
required confession of faith, except the Apostles' and Nicene Creeds,
which we share with many other Christian bodies. Our central act
of worship is the Holy Eucharist, also known as the Holy Communion
or Lord's Supper. We worship in accordance with the Book of
Common Prayer, and sing hymns from The Hymnal. These books have
been set forth by the General Convention of the Episcopal Church.
Our ministry is the historic threefold of Bishops, Priests and Deacons.
Our lay people are members by virtue of their baptism. We believe
that the Church is "The body of which Jesus Christ is the
head and all baptized persons are members."
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