Christ Episcopal Church.
The accompanying cut of the Episcocopal
Church known as Christ
Church, is what the building will be
when the towers are completed.
It stands on the corner of High and
North Second streets west. It is
built of Richmond granite. The main
Auditorium has a seating capacity of
seven hundred. In the rear is the
Sunday-school room, and various
other rooms, where the many societies
hold their meetings, of which there are
a goodly number connected with the
Parish. The building replaces a quaint
old structure, which was taken down
in August, 1895. The plans for the old
Christ Church were drawn by Mr.
Jefferson, who, as the late Bishop
Meade says, "appears to have been an
active vestryman for many years."
The Rev. Frederick Hatch became
rector of the Parish in 1820, of whom,
and of the church Bishop Meade
writes, "To the zeal and enterprise of
the Rev. Mr. Hatch is, under God, to
be ascribed the building of the church
in Charlottesville, which stands just
within the limits of Fredericksville
Parish. For a long time the courthouse
was the only place in Charlottesville
or round about for public worship.
The four leading denominations in the
State equally divided the Sabbaths and
some thought this was sufficient, and
calculated to promote peace and love
among all. Mr. Jefferson used to
bring his seat with him on horseback
from Monticello, it being some light
contrivance, which, folded up, was
carried under his arm, and unfolded,
served for a chair on the floor of the
courthouse. But the great body of
the people felt the need of a more convenient
place of worship, where more
persons could be accommodated, and in
better manner. It was proposed that
all denominations should unite in one,
but was found full of difficulties and
abandoned. It was proposed that two
should unite—the Episcopalians and
Presbyterians—which came to nothing.
Mr. Hatch, who was opposed to either
scheme, then circulated a subscription
for an Episcopal church, which immediately
succeeded, and was soon folfowed
with the same success by all the
others. The Rev. Mr. Hatch, was succeeded
by the Rev. Zachariah Mead,
who was followed by the Rev. Mr.
Cobbs, afterwards Bishop. In 1845
the Rev. Richard K. Meade was ordained
to the ministry, and soon afterward
took charge of Christ Church.
He continued the Rector until 1868,
when he was succeeded by the Rev. J.
S. Hanckel, D. D. The Rev. Mr.
Meade's first official act seems, from
the records, to have been the conducting
of the funeral service of Mr. Peche
Gilmer, who died April 7th, 1836. The
Rev. Dr. Hanckel continued in charge
until his death, which occurred Aug.
22, 1892. During a portion of Dr.
Hanckel's rectorship, the Rev. Robb
White, was Associate Rector. Mr.
White accepting the rectorship of
Christ Church, Savannah, in the fall of
1889, the Rev. H. B. Lee, became Dr.
Hanckel's assistant, Feb. 1, 1890. In
September, following the death of Dr.
Hanckel, Mr. Lee was elected rector,
and now holds that position. The
present Vestry consists of the following:
Dr. R. W. Nelson, sr. warden;
Hon. George W. Olivier, jr. warden;
Mr. C. H. Marchant, secretary; Judge
John M. White, treasurer; Hon. Louis
T. Hanckel, Capt. Micajah Woods,
Maj. C. M. Bolton, Capt. H. C. Michie,
Dr. J. S. Davis, Prof. Ormond
Stone, Mr. H. L. Lyman, Mr. John T.
Antrim. There are four hundred and
fifty communicants in this congregation.
