A re-dedication worship service at the historically important and recently restored Christ Episcopal Church, Church Hill, Miss., will be at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, December 20th, 2025.

The church building, dating to 1857-1858, is a pure example of Gothic Revival architecture. It is located 12 miles north of Natchez at the intersection of Mississippi Highway 553 and Church Hill Road.

The Right Rev. Dr. Dorothy Sanders Wells, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi, will preach and celebrate the Holy Eucharist. The Rev. Samuel B. Godfrey will assist.

“We invite everyone to join us for the worship service and for an informal reception afterward at Church Hill Variety, across from the church,” says Eddie Thompson, senior warden at Christ Church.

“The reception will honor Bishop Wells as well as those who contributed to the restoration. They include artists, craftsmen and other workers, and they also include donors of money and in-kind assistance.”

The restoration work was voluntarily directed by Tate Taylor, a member of Christ Church. “Tate was an experienced building contractor before becoming a major film maker,” says Thompson.
The first project of all, Taylor says, “was at the request of the late Jinny Patterson. She wanted the cross put back on top of the church. That happened in 2019.

“Then workers secured exterior walls and repaired the stained-glass windows, the heart pine floors and pews, the plaster on the walls and ceiling and the upholstery on prayer kneelers. Most recently, repairs have begun on cemetery tombstones.”

Along with the repairs, Taylor says much-needed additions include a new roof, interior climate control, electrical lighting inside and out, a handicapped entrance, a handrail up the front steps and a larger musical organ.

Bishop Wells gives thanks for the worshiping community that became Christ Church, Church Hill.

“Dating to 1820, it is the oldest congregation of Episcopalians in Mississippi.

“With the re-dedication of this holy space, we honor all of the hands that built and restored it, all of the persons who have worshiped in this space, all of the lives baptized and confirmed in this church, all of the persons laid to rest from this church, and all the persons whose lives have been touched by this community of faith.

“May God grant this worshiping community many, many more years to shine the light of Christ from this hill.”