Christ Church Parish
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Welcome to Christ Church Parish’s website! Jesus calls us into a community of love and faith and we feel you will find that here once you step through our doors. Browse through this website and if you can’t find the information or answers you are looking for please call our office at 508.746.4959.
You are invited to come and join us any time. No matter where you are on your faith journey, we invite you to find your spiritual home with us!
The Episcopal Society in Plymouth was formed on November 15, 1844 at the home of the Reverend Robert B. Hall, the former pastor of the Church of the Pilgrimage. On October 3, 1846, Bishop Manton Eastburn consecrated the first church building, a small wooden gothic church located at 20 Russell Street. Reverend Theodore W. Snow was the first rector of the new Christ Church.
In 1871, due to financial difficulties, the new parish had to close and did not reopen until the summer of 1878. By 1906, the congregation outgrew the small church and a decision was made to build a new one. The current church was built on the corner of Court and Lothrop Streets on property that was willed to the church by the Hall family.
The church design incorporates elements from St. Wilfrid’s Church in Scrooby, England where Elder William Brewster once lived. The ceremony of laying the cornerstone, which contains a piece of Plymouth Rock, took place on October 4, 1912. The first service was held on Christmas Day, 1914.
Worship times
This service is held in the Mary Chapel each Sunday and uses the oldest liturgy in the Book of Common Prayer, Rite One. This service is for those who love the old language of the liturgy and relish a more contemplative worship experience without singing or fanfare. There is no music at this service.
Our late Sunday morning service is our largest in terms of attendance. In this service we use the contemporary liturgy in the Book of Common Prayer, Rite Two, sing the music most familiar to Episcopalians and enjoy the beautiful musical offerings of the Christ Church Parish choir. Normally if we are going to have special celebrations or feature the sacrament of Holy Baptism, it will be during this service. This service is also live streamed on Facebook; https://www.facebook.com/ChristChurchParishPlymouth and YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@ChristChurchParishPlymouth/streams
Our Saturday evening service is our most casual service. This is the service where we will often sing more contemporary music and use a variety of liturgies from Anglican Churches spread across the world. This service was developed many years ago to accommodate people who simply wanted to walk in from the beach or their day out on the town and come to worship.
Ministries
Christ Church Food Pantry
Christ Church Plymouth Food Pantry
We are called as a parish and as volunteers to provide safe, nutritious food to the food insecure individuals and families in our diverse community.
The Christ Church Food Pantry is one of the largest in the Plymouth area. The pantry is responsible for serving at least 175 individuals and families per month – that’s over 2100 families a year. CCFP’s commitment to meeting the needs of food insecure individuals and families means that our neighbors from any town are welcome when they are in need. We partner with the Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB), South Shore Community Action Council's Food Distribution Center and the Plymouth restaurant 42 Degrees, to keep our pantry stocked with staples along with as much nutritious fresh fruits and vegetables and fresh dairy as we can. Monthly deliveries from the GBFB bring in about 90% of our supplies, which are either available at no cost or purchased at greatly reduced prices from GBFB. Donations from the parish and the community make up the other 10%. The Pantry is operated and staffed by volunteers from Christ Church parish as well as committed individuals from the Plymouth area, making it a truly community endeavor.
Hours:
The Christ Church Food Pantry is open at the times listed below to serve clients by appointment:
- Tuesday 4-5:15
- Thursday 12-1:15 and 4-5:15
- Saturday 10-11:15
Please call us at least 24 hours in advance at 508-746-4959, extension 6, to leave a message with your name and phone number. A volunteer will call you to take your order and schedule a time for you to pick up your order. If you have an emergency need for food, you can come to the pantry and speak to a volunteer during our operating hours. We will do our best to give you some food until you can put in a full order.
Christ Church Thrift Shoppe
The Thrift Shoppe sells high quality men’s, and women’s, clothing at incredible bargain prices. The Shoppe also offers great deals on kitchenware, small appliances, bath and bed items, and small furniture. Donations are gladly accepted on Saturday from 10 am to 1 pm. Items should be clean and gently used. Tax donation receipts are available.
Volunteers of all ages are always welcome to join our friendly associates. Volunteers typically work a 3 hour shift once a week as a shopkeeper (cashier) or as merchandisers (displaying items). Please stop in or call the Shoppe at 508-746-4990.
Thrift Shoppe hours are:
- Thursday & Friday 10 am – 4 pm
- Saturday 10 am – 2 pm
OVERNIGHTS OF HOSPITALITY
Overnights of Hospitality: Christ Church collaborates with other congregations in Plymouth to house individuals during the cold winter months. We provide a safe and warm place to sleep and an evening and morning meal for up to 25 individuals per night for an average of six weeks from the end of November to the end of March. Volunteers are trained to serve as chaperones and meal preparers.
KNITTING MINISTRY
Those who are a part of this wonderful ministry knit shawls for anyone who might want or need to be embraced by God’s love. We welcome all who do needle crafts, i.e., crocheting, knitting and weaving. If you cannot join us, but can work from home, we welcome your participation. The members of this ministry are available and happy to teach you how to knit, so don’t let that hold you back!
CHILDREN & YOUTH MINISTRIES
At Christ Church we believe that children and families are an important part of the foundation of our congregation. Children represent not only the future, but are a tremendously important part of the present and it is our responsibility to help them to discover their faith and to move forward on their faith journey. Together with their parents and caregivers all parishioners contribute to the faith formation of our youth.
Church School Curriculum at Christ Church
Christ Church uses a variety of age-appropriate curricula for children. These programs consist of strong Biblical and liturgical components designed to help our youth to grow in love and faith. We recognize that young children need to be active in order to learn, so our programs engage the spirit, the mind, and the body in all that we do. Older children who are ready to ask questions and apply their faith more directly in their lives are using a curriculum that allows them to dig a little deeper. Confirmation class is a 2-year program that prepares young adults to make their own commitment to God and their faith. Throughout all of our programs we strive to meet kids where they are and move them forward in their faith journey.
Classes for grades PreK through 8 are held on Sunday from 9:30 to 10:40 a.m. Confirmation class is held from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. so that students can attend the 10:00 a.m. service.
Come Join the Circle (PreK through grade 4): This program draws on the talent and resources of all of our parishioners. Children hear a story from the Bible told by a different storyteller each week. They then participate in an activity led by an adult volunteer. These activities range from arts and crafts to games and puzzles, cooking, drama, team activities, almost any skill that our parishioners would like to share.
Living the Good News (Grades 5/6 and 7/8): This lectionary-based curriculum is designed for kids age 10-13. Young tweens and teens explore their faith through a variety of media and help students learn to weather problems, love and accept others and make wise choices.
Confirmation Class (grades 9 and 10): Confirmation is a two-year journey at Christ Church. The entire first year is focused on learning Holy Scripture by working through the curriculum: I Know My Bible. The second year is focused on learning how to live out the Christian life in community and in the wider world.
Other Opportunities for Kids:
Christmas Pageant: The 4 pm service on Christmas Eve is dedicated to our Christmas Pageant. Students of all ages rehearse and perform an original play based on the Nativity story.
International Relationships
Masakane
149 Court St
Plymouth, MA 02360-4003
United States
