The History of Christ Episcopal Church

In 1869, a group from the English province of Lancaster, which had been attracted by the humming cotton mills in Biddeford, made application to Bishop Henry A. Neely to form a parish. This was to be an English church that was not influenced by any other Anglican movement in the United States at that time. Permission was granted, and delegates attended the diocesan convention that year. For some months thereafter, services were held in a rented hall, but the corner stone for a new wooden church was laid on Bacon Street in 1874. The first services were held while the building was still under construction, with Bishop Neely and a Bishop Tozer of England officiating. The new church was not completed, however, until 1885, due to a recession and the failure of promised help from England.

The new church shortly began to thrive, most particularly during the tenure of Father Harold M. Folsom (1905-10). In 1907, plans were made to build a larger and more elegant stone church on a lot at the junction of Crescent and South Streets. The Bacon Street building was sold, and the congregation temporarily worshipped at Trinity Church in Saco, or at a mission located where the McArthur Library now stands. A parish hall for the new church was finished first, and the faithful subsequently appropriated it for services. The first service was held in 1908. The altar rail, stained glass windows, etc. from the Bacon Street church were installed. The upstairs became the nave, and the downstairs was used for other church functions. Unfortunately, the larger edifice, which had been planned, was never built due to a lack of funds, although a rectory was eventually raised adjacent to the renovated church hall.

In addition to lack of funds, there were other reasons for the lack of construction. Trinity Church in Saco, the first Episcopal parish in Maine, has attracted transfers from the Biddeford church throughout its history. Also, Biddeford gradually became the largest municipality in York Country, but along with Lewiston, eventually turned into a French Canadian enclave with its religion overwhelmingly Roman Catholic. At the same time, Biddeford's sister city, Saco, was settled by the Canadians at a much slower rate. Although Saco was hardly English, it remained a Yankee stronghold for a long period, making it more attractive in the minds of many of the English. There was a certain amount of French/English intermarriage in which the French had insisted the English convert to Roman Catholicism.

The dynamic Father Folsom left in 1910 and was succeeded by Father George Bartlett Wood. In 1915, a new rectory was completed. In 1928, Father Edward Scott arrived, and was to stay for twenty-one years. During his tenure, the erstwhile parish hall was converted into a permanent church, in which a chapel was built and pews were installed.

In 1958, fifty years after its occupation of the church hall, there seemed to be a spiritual resurgence in Christ Episcopal Church. One parishioner was quoted as saying, "Our backs are to the wall. We've got to start fighting if we are going to hold on to our church." The results of the canvass that year "enheartened" the parish. The biggest problem was the enormous heating cost. It helped a great deal to redesign the heating system to heat only the small chapel at the rear of the nave, and services were held there. Subsequently that year, a "sanctuary fund" was gathered for a new altar, crucifix, tabernacle and new colors. Another activity was to sponsor St. David's Mission in Kennebunk. Christ Church shared its priest, prayer books, vestment, etc. Ironically, St. David's ultimately became a thriving parish, while its sponsor continued in its cycle of growth and decline.

In 1961, there was an agreement in principle to combine with Trinity as a "joint parish." This was never finalized. In 1962, the rectory was mortgaged to obtain money for repairs on the church. (A leak over the sacristy was threatening to ruin the floor, many windows were loose, and some windows were in need of replacement). In 1968, Father Gerald Burtt wrote an impassioned letter to Bishop Wolf "concerning the possibility of merging of Christ Episcopal Church with Trinity Church, Saco, effective December 31, 1968." In his appeal, Father Burtt wrote of, "four Episcopal Churches in eastern York County within 12 miles, only 60 adult communicants in Christ Church, and 6 children in the church school, half of whom reside in Kennebunk." He also mentioned the transfer of several families to Trinity "because of a good church school, youth group, and other activities." Furthermore, he noted that "the people of Christ Church are exceptionally devoted to the church, and most of them make a sacrificial pledge in order to keep the place going at all." Father Burtt's appeal was presumably set aside.

Certainly, the highlight of 1969 must have been the installation of a truly beautiful rose stained glass window in Our Lady Chapel, financed by a memorial fund. In 1974, however, there was a decision to sell the rectory and to erect a smaller building at another location. There was $10,000 in repairs needed, and it was felt that there was no reasonable alternative to selling. In 1976, the rectory was sold, and its mortgage paid off. The balance was held by the diocese against the purchase of a new building, somewhere.

Father Myrick Cross began his stay in 1984. The weekly Sunday attendance was 60-70. His interests were in liturgy, music, Christian Education, and community outreach. His charisma must have rivaled that of Father Folsom. In 1989, Father Patton Boyle, who focused on building improvements, succeeded Father Cross. During his tenure, there was still another movement to join administratively with Trinity Church but the idea fizzled. Also, during this period the church's financial condition was slipping into a downward cycle. Some bills were not getting paid, and to add to the situation there was more than one substantial pledging member who left Christ Church.

In 1993, a part time rector, Father David Glendinning, was engaged. He was quite popular as he wrestled with the perennial list of problems: finances, declining attendance, and the idea of the possible closing of the church. In 1997, Father Graham Pierce succeeded him. Father Pierce was strong in social interaction and the Church Sunday School was reactivated under his leadership. Significant community outreach programs were implemented thanks to the generous donation of a former member. These programs included Jump Start with the Biddeford Police department and establishment of a part time protestant chaplaincy position at Southern Maine Medical Center. Father Pierce retired in June 2002. Christ Church was then served by Father Jack Haney as interim, and The Rev. Suzanne Colburn for the next three years.  Under Suzanne and the now-famous Biddeford Plan, the church experience growth and financial stabilization.

Christ Church is now being served the the clergy team of Bowen & Bowen. The Rev. Shirley Bowen is the new priest-in-charge. The Rev. Peter Bowen is the Deacon. Both were raised up for Holy Orders by Christ Church and are delighted to be "home".