This text was obtained via automated optical character recognition.
It has not been edited and may therefore contain several errors.


Page 2
Christ Church was consecrated on July 8, 1913. In 1938 a parish house was erected, and in 1947 three Sunday School classrooms were added.
In 1948 the Rev. Charles R. Johnson came from Jackson, Mississippi as priest* in-charge of the mission. In 1950, however, with 134 registered communicants, Christ Church was granted parish status. In that same year Christ Episcopal Day School was started by the Rector, beginning as a kindergarten, with Mrs. W. E. Bartram as the first teacher.
The following year a 7% acre property at 912 South Beach Boulevard was purchased for a school-church complex. In 1956 a new brick school building was completed, and in 1962 the McCulloch wing was added, doubling its size. Brick residences were built for the rector and the curate in 1966 and 1968 respectively, and in 1969 the Coast Episcopal High School was established.
This was a tremendous difference from those difficult days when the church barely was held together by dedicated lay readers, such as E. E. Lucas, who served during the flu epidemic of 1918, and Richard Shadoin and Phillip Allison, who officiated three Sundays a month for three and a half year periodbetween the Rev. Warwick Aiden and the coming of the Rev. Charles Johnson. Yet somehow it survived.
Then came August 17, 1969. Few could realize whbt the moments ahead would mean, or how incredibly destructive Camille would prove to be. But it happened, and in the wake of the dawn the stark reality could not be denied — Christ Church was demolished, along with Coast Episcopal High School at Pass Christian. A twisted cross remained as a reminder of what once had been.
I .fit «1
Since the daamge to the local campus in Bay St. Louis was caused by water and silt pushed into the buildings, it was possible to make the necessary repairs quickly.
We were fortunate to get immediate delivery of relocatable classrooms so that on September 22 we opened our doors at 912 South Beach Boulevard, Bay St. Louis, to students entering kindergarten and grades one through twelve.
Obviously, this was not a desirable situation. An application for a loan was filed and upon approval we purchased a 37% acre tract of land on Espy Avenue in Pass Christian. This land was untouched by Camille. A contract was let and the doors of the new Coast Episcopal High School were opened in August, 1973 to students enrolled in grades seven through twelve.
For twenty months, the congregation of Christ Church met for services in the day school, using portable altar, organ, and classroom desks. On April 18, 1971, in the joyous Easter season, a new Christ Church arose and was dedicated to the Glory of God as a symbol of God's indestructible spirit within His people.
****************************
PRIEST-IN-CHARGE
(Although technically attached to Bay St. Louis, some priests lived in Pass Christian. These held services in the Pass in the morning, came by train in the afternoon, and, after services, returned by train late at night.)
*


Christ Episcopal Church History-Mrs.-Joe-Pilet-056
© 2008 - 2024
Hancock County Historical Society
All rights reserved