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505395 Old Stage Rd., Woodstock, Ontario Sunday Services scheduled at 11:45 am
Blessing of the Animals (Click here)
Christ Church, Oxford Centre is one of three churches that with St. John's Eastwood and St. Paul's Princeton form a single Parish.
On June 10, 1864, the land was purchased from Hartwell C. Griswold
and his wife, and registered by the Church Society of the Diocese of
Huron. Then came the task of raising the money for the erection of
the church. The estimated cost when finished was $1,100.65.
The first baptisms were Eucena and Mary Alice Green and Sarah Louise
Chambers, on September 21, Early records show that for a few years the church was called St. Luke's, but by 1878 it had been named Christ Church. Hydro was installed in the church and was first used for Harvest Thanksgiving, September 10, 1944. In the fall of 1945, when Rev. L. B. Jenkins was rector, the men started the excavation for the basement. The Ladies' Aid purchased a furnace for $355.00 and the first fire was lit November 2, 1947. In the fall of 1948, the basement was completed. On August 7, 1979, a tornado swept through Oxford Centre and took the church with it. While they were without a building, the congregation worshipped at St. John's, Eastwood. The church was rebuilt and many memorials were donated in thanksgiving and memory of loved ones. On December 21, 1980, the new church building was consecrated.
Christ Church congregation has faced many obstacles in the past, and with faith, courage, and foresight, will continue to grow and flourish. Even a tornado could not keep it closed. Through all this, the friendly family atmosphere of this country parish has been maintained. At Christ Church, no one is a nameless face in a crowd.
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Other Oxford County Anglican Churches
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In the early days
of the settlement of this district of Oxford Centre, many families
attended services at St. Paul's Church, Woodstock, either walking to
services or going in wagons or sleds drawn by oxen. Then for
several years, services were held in the old Township Hall which stood
on the land east of where Oxford Centre Hall now stands.
1873.
The first recorded burial was John Green in 1887 followed by Sylvester
Keyes on May 7, 1873. In the earlier years most marriages took
place in homes rather than in the church. The first marriage
recorded was Charles William Howden and Isabella Margaret Lampman on
February 10, 1877.
In 1992, Christ Church celebrated its 125th anniversary. The
foundation of Christ Church stands strong and firm as we continue to
worship within the walls. The church sits on land that is also a
resting place for many of our parishioners who have gone before us.
Every Sunday, the church bell is rung telling all that worship is
beginning.
