Humble Beginning and Steady Growth Christ Church Story
The Town Manager, June 1932, p. 9 & 17
There was recently presented to Christ Church a framed copy of an article appearing in the Interboro Review in September, 1915. This reprint has been given by Mr. Frank Longeway who was a member of the Building Committee and of the original Executive Board of the church. It is thought that the following from this reprint will be of interest to many:
"The opening ceremonies of the beautiful new Christ Church, recently completed and situated at the northwest corner of Rutland Avenue and Rugby Road, West Englewood, will be held Sunday, Oct. 1, at 4 p.m.
"In the fall of 1913, a number of the residents started the church movement by having services in the various homes bi-monthly. The first service was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur F. Edeny, on Ogden Avenue. For over a year, Rev. Dr. Fleming James, Rector of St. Paul's church, Englewood, gave his services and built up the interest, after which Rev. Carl Stridsberg took up the work and organized the present Christ Church. Rev. Stridsberg has greatly endeared himself to the people of West Englewood, who have rallied around him and together have carried forward the work resulting in the edifice to be opened next Sunday. The committee who had charge of the erection of the church building consisted of M. Sheldon Smith, chairman, Fairchild N. Ferry, Frank Longeway, Arthur E. Edney, Ronald W. Thorn, George W. Thurlby, William McNaughton and Z. D. Race. The architect was Frederick Brendel, and the contractor James L. Curray.
"in the purchase of the land and the erection of the church come in for a large portion of commendation. The ladies have worked faithfully, holding from time to time, fairs, suppers and social functions, all of which have been loyally supported and from which they derived considerable money. On a number of occasions they have cheerfully turned money over to the church treasurer to add to the building fun. The first president of the Ladies' Guild was Mrs. Frederick Lane, who was succeeded by Mrs. C. L. Thorn, and she in turn by Mrs. E. J. Kuhn, the present incumbent.
"Altogether Christ Church stands as a monument for the earnest efforts of its faithful members, and will be one of the important factors in a good and wholesome upbuilding of West Englewood."
Since that time, the Church has grown tremendously and there has been built the Church Community House, adjoining, and the rectory. The Rev. Carl Stridsberg was called from Christ Church to Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1924. He was succeeded by the Rev. Percy G. Hall who served until 1925. The present rector, the Rev. Wm. K. Russell, came in the spring of 1926. The present members of the Vestry of Christ Church are as follow:
Messrs. George W. Lebeckand Norman K. Althause, Wardens; and Messrs. C. deC. Brower, Raymond G. Ankers, Leland F. Ferry, George W. Thurlby, Edwin H. Hastings, Edgar P. Hildreth, Horace A. Johnson, Fred T. A. McLeod and Edward Raque.
