Christ Church began as a mission to factory workers in the mid 19th century.The original Gothic-revival building was constucted on Madison Street in 1883 and burned down in 1963.
View from the north
View from the south
The current building on Lafayette Road was built in 1967 on land donated by John Elwyn-Stone. The parcel contains a colonial cemetary where African slaves of Governor John Langdon are buried and is on the Portsmouth Black Heritage Trail. Christ Church was the"high" Episcopal Church in the diocese, having been influenced by the Oxford Movement. Worship continues to be important as well as our commitment to issues of peace and social justice.
On September 5, 1905 Christ Church was the site for the service following the signing of the Treaty of Portsmouth, ending the Russo-Japanese War. In 2005 Christ Church participated in events to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the signing. Our bell rang at the conclusion of a memorial service, just as it did in 1905.
