History
Christ Church Episcopal — The Early Years
In the early days of the twentieth century, Cape Cod was more sparsely populated than today. Most roads were dirt and travel was usually by horse and buggy. But the Cape is a beautiful place, so soon people began to make the trip from the more crowded cities to this peninsula.
How did this affect the beginnings of our little church in Harwich Port?
With the growing number of cars and paved roads, the population began to increase — at first during the summer, and then year-round — and so did the need for churches.
As early as 1900, Episcopal services were being held in people’s homes. The number of attendees grew, and services were held during the summer in other venues as well.
In 1925, a group of women believed there should be an Episcopal church in Harwich Port. After meeting in homes, an inn and a social hall, the women decided to work toward building a permanent sanctuary. It was believed that with a proper place for worship and a regular morning service, families would begin to attend and the congregation would grow.
The possibility of building a church came to fruition in an unusual way. A devoted Episcopalian, Mrs. Harold Van Buren had a friend in France by the name of Charlotte, the Marquise de Sers. Mme. De Sers was a Roman Catholic and through Mrs. Van Buren she was aware of the desire to build an Episcopal church in Harwich Port. She generously offered a gift of $5000 toward its construction (about $88,000 in today’s dollars).
In the spring of 1925, Mrs. Van Buren returned to the Cape with this news and gathered 13 other ladies; the serious work of planning for an Episcopal church in Harwich Port had now begun.
Mr. Howard Cox, an architect from Boston, was engaged to draw up plans for the building; work began in the fall of 1925. To make up the difference between the gift from Mme. de Sers and the total costs, a mortgage was incurred; it was paid off by 1931. In the end, it is estimated that the building cost $15,000 in 1926 ($260,000 in today’s dollars).
On July 27, 1926, the building was incorporated in Massachusetts as Christ Church Harwich Port.
The name Christ Church was not chosen lightly. Mrs. Van Buren consulted with the major benefactor, Mme. de Sers, as to her suggestion and Mme. de Sers proposed “Christ Church” as being one all faiths could claim.
During the summer of 1926, permission was received from the Bishop Suffragan, The Right Rev. Samuel Babcock, to establish an independent congregation which enabled the parish to call its own clergy.
On August 29, 1926 the building was ready to be dedicated. An interdenominational congregation of 163 people were present. The pews were in place, the altar was still rough boards, and the lectern was a desk, but to those hard- working ladies of the building committee, it was magnificent.
1927 was the first full season the church was used; whatever was still needed for furnishings was generously given.
When the mortgage was retired in 1931, a Vestry was formed. It consisted entirely of men, taking over from the Women’s Committee, because women were not allowed to be on vestries at the time. So began a completed church and a bank account of about $1000. On July 12, 1931, the building was consecrated by the Right Rev. Henry Knox enry Sherrill, the new bishop of Massachusetts.
In July 1932, the first of the beautiful stained glass windows over the altar was dedicated to the memory of Charlotte, the Marquise de Sers, who had never been able to see the completed building, but done so much to help bring this church into being.
In 1958, our Parish Hall was added. It housed a main hall and full kitchen, several rooms downstairs including the 1967 addition of Noah’s Ark Thrift Shop, as well as offices. We have welcomed many organizations that have made use of our Hall.
This is but a short synopsis of the establishment and growth of our parish. We must always remember our beginnings. Begun and built with the foresight, strength and fortitude of women, we are a unique parish that honors all people in their daily lives, accepts all wherever they are on their spiritual journeys, and looks to a future where we may all grow together. As we look forward to our next 100 years, we invite everyone to be part of our own spiritual journey.
Some of this history is taken from “A History of Christ Church Episcopal” by Alfred E. Everett and Miss Katherine Brown, February, 1979.
