“At Christ Church, no one is a nameless face in the crowd.”

A brief history.

In the early days of the settlement of this district of Oxford Centre, many families attended services at Old St. Paul’s Church, Woodstock, either walking to services or travelling in wagons or sleds drawn by oxen. For several years, services were held at the old Township Hall which stood on the land east of where Oxford Centre Hall now stands.

On December 7, 1867, the land was purchased from Hartwell C. Griswold and his wife, and registered by the Church Society of the Diocese of Huron. Once purchased, the task of raising the money for the erection of the church began. The estimated cost when finished was $1,100.65. The first baptisms were Eucena and Mary Alice Green and Sarah Louise Chambers on September 21, 1873. The first recorded burial was John Green followed by Sylvester Keyes on May 7, 1873. In the earlier years, most marriages took place in homes rather than in the church. The first marriage recorded was Charles William Howden and Isabella Margaret Lampman on February 10, 1877.

Early records show that for a few years, the church was called St. Luke’s, but by 1878 it had been named Christ Church. Hydro was installed in the church and was first used for Harvest Thanksgiving on September 10, 1944. In the Fall of 1945, when Rev. L.B. Jenkins was rector, excavation for the basement began. The Ladies Aid purchased a furnace for $355 and the first fire was started November 2, 1947. In the fall of 1948, the basement was completed.

On August 7, 1979, a tornado swept through Oxford Centre and took the church with it. During this time, the congregation worshipped at St. John’s Eastwood. On December 21, 1980 the new church was consecrated. The church was rebuilt and many memorials were donated in thanksgiving and in memory of loved ones.

In 1992, Christ Church celebrated its 125th Anniversary.

The foundation of Christ Church stands strong and firm as we continue to worship within the walls. The church sits on land that is also a resting place for many of our parishioners who have gone before us. Christ Church congregation has faced many obstacles in the past, and with faith, courage and foresight will continue to grow and flourish. Even a tornado could not keep it closed. Through all this, the friendly family atmosphere of this country parish has been maintained. At Christ Church no one is a nameless face in the crowd.