The History of Christ Church

The Buildings

Christ Church is a one-story stone church with gable roof and Gothic stained glass windows.  The church was built in 1865, the Rectory in 1879.  In 1894 new transepts and a chancel were added.  The original pipe organ was installed in 1895. (a replacement was built in 1964 in memory of parishioners who died in the two World Wars).

The two church hall (Crysler Room & Memorial Hall) were constructed in 1910, and have undergone various "facelifts" over the years.

Christ Church is the only church in Niagara Falls to have a full ten-bell carillon.  It was installed in the tower in 1912.  All the bells have names:  Love, Faith, Hope, Charity, Truth, Temperance, Devotion,  Long Suffering, and Peace.  A new tower was built in 1935 on the southwest wall and the bells were re-hung in it.  The old tower, which had been on the south wall, was torn down and replaced by a baptistery which in 1954 became what is now our Narthex.

During the 1950's construction was done underneath the church, creating various rooms and a tunnel connecting the church to the halls.  The rector's office, secretary's office and Altar Guild Sacristy were also added in the 1950's, along with a second story room named the MacDonald Room (which was beautifully renovated in 2000)

Many renovations have occurred over the years, both inside and outside of the church, including making the church and hall wheelchair accessible.  The park-like land south of the church (known as "The Point") was donated to the church in 1873 to commemorate our 140th anniversary and the "Year of the Vet".  A Memorial Garden was created on the Point, adding even more to the beauty of Christ Church.

The People

• The inventor of A.M. Radio (Reginald Fessenden) was the son of one of Christ Church's first rectors.

• Early in the 20th century (possibly 1902) Queen Victoria's son, then Prince of Wales, visited Christ Church.  He was later to become King Edward VII.  H. R. H.

• Princess Elizabeth (later to become Queen Elizabeth II) and Prince Phillip, the Duke of Edinburgh, attended  morning service here October 14, 1951.  The pew they occupied is appropriately marked with an inscribed plaque.

• Lieutenant Governor Pauline McGibbon made an official visit Whitsunday June 3, 1979 (the 75th anniversary of the incorporation of the City of Niagara Falls)

• Christ Church is the Garrison Church in Niagara Falls of the Lincoln and Welland Regiment.

• Capt. The Venerable A. T. F. Holmes, CBD (Padre), Rector from 1951-1958, founded Camp Artaban.

• In 1973 Primate Ted Scott was elected at Christ Church and a plaque honouring the special occasion is on the wall in St. Martin Chapel.

• Two choir members wrote the words to two hymns and the late organist Harold Revill composed the music.  Both hymns are framed and hang on the wall in the choir sanctuary of the church.

• Former Rector Rev. Duncan Lyon started the "Out of the Cold" program in Niagara Falls in January 1997.  Other churches have since taken part.

Our Coat of Arms

The Christ Church Coat of Arms is pictured below for you to see.  An official petition was made to Robert Watt, Esq., Chief Herald of Canada at Rideau Hall, Ottawa to grant that "the parish be granted armorial bearing by the Canadian Crown under the powers held by Her Excellency, The Governor General".  This petition was granted and our Coat of Arms arrived in late December of 2006.  The motto "As the sound of many waters" comes from the biblical book of Revelation and also refers to the sound of nearby Niagara Falls.  The water of the river is represented by the blue wavy lines.  The symbol in the middle is comprised of the first two Greek letters for "Christ" and the crown on the top represents the visit made by the then Princess Elizabeth, later Queen Elizabeth II.  The flowers in the crown represent the floral industry of the area.  Also included are a flag design and a badge design.