Breaking Ground and Setting Sail

Christ Episcopal Church is truly “rising from the rubble.” The Episcopal Diocese of Alabama has given its approval to the construction of a new worship building for Christ Church. On the one-year anniversary of the tornado, Easter Sunday, April 24, Bishop Kee Sloan will join the people of Christ Church in celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, and of Christ Church, by breaking ground for the new sanctuary.

We were required to get the approval of the Diocese before construction could begin. That process included the submission of floor plans for the new sanctuary, and information on how the construction would be financed. If Christ Church planned to borrow any money, that would have needed to be approved by the Diocesan Council.

But thanks to a generous settlement with Church Insurance Co., over $50,000 in contributions, and the Christ Church trust fund, it will not be necessary to borrow any funds to build the new church. Construction will begin as soon as the architect completes her more detailed construction drawings in about six weeks.

Long known as the “Little Gray Church on Main Street,” the new sanctuary will maintain the simple, yet elegant character of the original sanctuary. But looking to the future, the Vestry approved a design that will be able to realistically seat over 120 worshipers, compared to the 90 that could be fitted into the old church.

There will also be a small chapel for midweek worship and individual prayer at any time. The Chancel with the Altar will be much more spacious than in the original sanctuary, as will the Sacristy which houses those things needed for the Altar. And the Flower Guild will have their own room to make their contribution to the beauty of our worship that reflects, however dimly, the joyous beauty of God.

If you think about it, the church looks a lot like an upside-down boat. It is the place where we seek spiritual safety from the storms of life. It is also our faithful companion through the changes of life. The new sanctuary for Christ Episcopal Church looks back to the beloved little church that its founders moved from Piedmont in 1978. And it also looks forward to a future of spiritual growth.

When we break ground on Easter Sunday, we will also set sail on the next part of Christ Church’s journey, with Christ and with Sand Mountain. As we navigate the changing waters of time and circumstances, may the community that is Christ Episcopal Church make their new boat a place of spiritual refuge, nourishment and encouragement.