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Jul 11, 2012 | Karla Goolsby

St. Christopher's Celebrates Renovation and Renewal

st. christopher's renovationSt. Christopher’s Episcopal Church completed construction of their first worship space, in the heart of Houston’s new Spring Branch neighborhood, in 1960. After a half century filled with worship, baptisms, marriages, funerals, confirmations, and virtually every other milestone of the human condition, even the congregation’s fond memories could no longer distract their attention from the fact that, well, the place was looking dowdy. Their once stylish, mid-century Nave had a checker board ceiling of yellowed tiles (that occasionally fell into the pews below), dark outdated décor, bad lighting, a cramped lay-out, and unwelcoming entrances and restrooms that were impassable to people with disabilities. 

 

It’s hard to admit something so loved needs changing. However, the congregation decided the best way to honor the dedication and faithfulness of the generation who founded St. Christopher’s, would be to preserve it for the emerging generation whose memories and foundations are being formed as followers of Christ. Determined that their best days were not behind them, but ahead of them, they launched a successful capital campaign, and began worshipping in the parish hall while the old building was gutted to the rafters, reconfigured, and rebuilt.

 

Since the congregation moved out in January 2012, the entire interior has been overhauled. Some of the old lighting fixtures were returned, but more lighting was added throughout. To further brighten the room, the dark walls were replaced or lightened making the beautiful carved-wood Stations of the Cross stand out. Added illumination now highlights their beauty and significance. Large, stone-design tiles, instead of carpeting, now cover the entire Nave floor with the exception of the newly constructed wood Sanctuary and choir loft. A stunning, ultra-violet protective clear glass window with Gothic-arch design has been installed over the altar, providing great beauty to the church interior and exterior. On each side of this new, central window, freshly installed limestone lines the walls from floor to ceiling. A beautifully hand-crafted cross (made from the old altar rails) hangs above the newly constructed altar.

 

After many months of worshipping in the parish hall and anticipating the new Nave with excitement, the congregation is thrilled to host a Renewing for Mission Open House for the community on July 14, 2012 from 10 a.m. - 2 a.m. Food and children’s activities will be provided, and all are invited to tour the new space. The first worship service in the newly renovated Nave will be Sunday, July 15 at 10 a.m. The clergy, choir, and entire congregation will process from the parish hall to the new worship space together. Everyone is invited to this celebration of God’s faithfulness! The service will feature special music with trumpet and strings, and all are invited to stay for a luncheon in the parish hall after the service has concluded. 

 

St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church is located at 1656 Blalock Road, Houston, Texas 77080.