CHRIST CHURCH

Boonville, Missouri

Among the early settlers from the eastern United States were Episcopalians who had separated from the Church of England during the American Revolution. Prior to the Louisiana Purchase non-Catholic worship was forbidden West of the Mississippi River due to its occupation by French and Spanish.

In 1835 Bishop Jackson Kemper from Connecticut was assigned to the Western Territories for missionary work. When the missionary Bishop arrived in Boonville he found Rev. F. F. Peake, a teacher, already leading a congregation which met at Jefferson House at Sixth and High Streets. This group became Christ Church, the oldest Episcopal Church west of St. Louis.

The lot was purchased in 1841 and the deed lists Jackson Kemper, James G. Martin and Chester B. Powell as trustees. Building did not begin until 1844 after Rev. Almon D. Corbin became rector. Services had been held at the northwest corner of Main and High Streets and later in a frame building on the southeast corner of Main and Spring. Rev. Corbin married Miss Virginia Buckner of Boonville, and when the Church was built a one-story rectory to the rear of the lot was included for their living quarters. All were made of hand-built brick possibly on the lot next door.

17 the bell was cast in Britain and is inscribed "I praise God, I call the living, I toll for the dead." Architecturally, the Church recalls country churches in England. The square bell tower once had four small spires at each corner representing the four Evangelists.

In 1844 the first pipe organ music was heard in Boonville played on an instrument loaned by a member from Jefferson City. In 1854 a new organ was purchased, the "largest west of the Mississippi River." The rectory added a second story in 1976 and was again enlarged in 1908. It was recently demolished. Glass fragments found indicate that the communion wine could have been obtained from Mr. Ha in, a vintner who lived a few yards away in the 1850’s.

Among the many memorial gifts of interest are the chalice and paten, gifts of Bishop Jackson Kemper and the collection basins. These later Missouri River bed, believed to be over 1000 years old. Donated in 1915 by Capt. B. T. Boyce, one assumes this came from excavations during construction of the highway bridge.

The 1860’s were difficult of the area’s churches. The Union occupation and war cruelties resulted in a rapid turnover of ministers. Rev. F. R. Holeman was banished to Canada for "refusing to take the oath." He returned in 1867 and conducted a successful parish school of 50 scholars. During this time the painted windows were replaced with stained glass.

Rev. Abiel Leonard, who later became Bishop of Nevada and Utah, served at Christ church. The addition of the vestry room to the north took place in 1929. The walnut paneling around the altar was completed in 1965, a gift of the Bell family. Places.

Christ church is listed on the National Register of Historic.

Return to Christ Episcopal