Sixty years ago, Christ Church began as the dream of a handful of families in rural Ponte Vedra Beach who wanted a place of worship. Over these years, Ponte Vedra has grown and changed, and Christ Church has helped transform this town into a welcoming, generous and joyful community. We have celebrated 60 Christmases and 60 Easters, countless baptisms, confirmations, weddings and funerals. The dream of that handful of families has now grown to a parish with more than 5,500 members.
1955
Christ Episcopal Church becomes a parish, with Reverend Alexander Juhan as Rector.
1973
As a member of the Beaches Ministerial Assoc., Christ Church helps open Pablo Towers, housing for the low-income elderly, in Jacksonville Beach.
1979
563 Members – The Rev. James Cooper is installed as the second Rector of Christ Church.
1983
The Christ Church Foundation is established.
1984
The Foundation awards its first scholarship to a graduating senior at Nease High School.
1985
701 Members – The Beaches Ministerial Association establishes BEAM, the Beaches Emergency Assistance Ministry, and Christ Church begins to provide ongoing financial and volunteer support.
1987
1,160 Members – The Rev. Gerry Walston, Associate Rector, starts youth mission trips to Bahamas, Belize, American Indian reservations and Montreal.
1990
1,972 Members – The Link child care and after-school programs supported by Christ Church, in conjunction with Episcopal Children’s Services and YMCA, opens in Jacksonville Beach.
1997
3,729 Members – Christ Church is instrumental in establishing Mission House, a ministry to the homeless in Jacksonville Beach, and begins financial and volunteer support.
1998
4,100 Members – First visit by church members to Amistad in Bolivia, and Christ Church begins financial support to help build orphanage.
1999
4,428 Members – Godly Play begins at Wolfson Children’s Hospital, through the guidance of Malinda Harris, Christian Formation Director, and Christ Church.
2003
Through the $5 million dollars raised by Christ Church parishioners, St. Francis in the Field is built and becomes an independent parish.
2004
5,684 Members – Christ Church establishes Serenata Beach as a second site worship center.
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Christ Church begins Grab-A-Bag ministry to support the food pantry at BEAM and St. Mary’s.
2005
The Rev. Rick Westbury is installed as Christ Church’s third Rector.
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Christ Church San Pablo becomes an additional second site worship center.
2008
5,956 Members – Christ Church sponsors Habitat for Humanity, providing $40,000 in funding and nearly 3,000 volunteer hours.
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The Christ Church Bookstore opens and donates some of its proceeds to the St. John’s County Learn to Read program.
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The dedication and consecration of the new Christ Church Parish Center and contemporary worship space led by the Presiding Bishop, The Most Rev. Dr. Katharine Jefferts Schori.
2009
5,924 Members – The Beaches Community Healthcare Clinic opens in Jacksonville Beach, with Christ Church as a founding member that will go on to provide continuing financial support.