About

Located on the traditional territories of the Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee and Lunaapeew Peoples and on lands associated with Treaty 2, 1790 and the Dish with One Spoon Covenant Wampum, we acknowledge our treaty responsibilities to the land and its peoples. Christ Church is committed to the ongoing work of reconciliation. 

Christ Church Chatham is a welcoming community with deep roots and expansive vision. 

In the nineteenth century, our congregation included Black abolitionists and freedom seekers from the United States; our church leaders in the Diocese of Huron worked in the antislavery movement and sought to erase the barriers of racial prejudice. At Christ Church today, we honour our past traditions as a place of inclusion and social justice, through worship, care, and outreach in our contemporary life.. 

The community of Chatham dates back to 1793 when Lieutenant John Graves Simcoe was exploring the southwestern frontier. The actual construction of residential buildings began in the early 1800’s.

In 1819 a small wooden church with a single spire was built on Gaol Street (today’s Stanley Avenue) on the banks of the Thames River. It was named St. Paul’s Church.

The present church property of Christ Church on Wellington St. was purchased for $1482 and the church was completed at a cost of $8000. At the official opening, in 1861, on the recommendation of Bishop Cronyn, the new church was renamed Christ Church.

 As a continuing congregation, we are one of the oldest Anglican places of worship between Niagara-on-the-Lake and the Pacific Ocean. Also stands as the home for the regimental flags of the Essex and Kent Scottish Regiment since 1940.

Our Church is committed to providing a safe environment that offers a diverse worship experience, ranging from the traditional to the contemporary; appealing to both young and old alike. We strive to maintain a welcoming community where people from all walks of life can come and grow in their spiritual journey; through worship, Christian Education, outreach and pastoral care.

As part of the Diocese of Huron, which is the second largest diocese in the Anglican Church of Canada, Christ Church Chatham is situated within the Archdeaconry of Lambton-Kent, as well as the Deanery of Kent in Southwestern Ontario.

Click here to read more about the antislavery history of Christ Church and the relevance of this history in our church today.

Our staff are pleased to answer any questions or inquiries about our Services and programs. If the office is closed, please leave a message and your call will be returned to you as soon as possible.