425 Cherry Street

Christ Episcopal Church Complex
425 Cherry Street, Green Bay, Brown County
Dates of contributing buildings: 1900, 1911, 1957
Architect: George Rockwell

The Christ Episcopal Church Complex is located in downtown Green Bay and its first congregation's history is closely tied with the city’s early development. The Christ Church parish was formally incorporated in the fall of 1829 and, in 1831, Daniel Whitney presented the congregation with the current site. On August 9, 1838, Bishop Kemper laid the cornerstone for a new frame church building, which was completed in 1839. The first building stood until July 1898 when it burned. The vestry accepted the architect George A. Rockwell’s design for the new stone church on Februrary 23, 1899 and the first service was the following year on Easter Day.

The complex consists of the church, built 1899-1900; the rectory, built 1911; the school, built 1956-1957; and the 1990 parish hall. The church is an example of the variant of the Gothic Revival referred to as Neo-Gothic Revival or Late Gothic Revival. The use of stone as a building material allows for the full expression of the solidity of the style and the construction of large towers and buttresses. The church’s interior displays elaborate woodwork drawn from English Gothic precedents and is noted for its open roof, with its tracery and hammer beam design. Also notable is the elaborate woodwork and carved panels found in the rectory’s small chapel.

In 2005, the Divine Temple Church of God in Christ purchased the church and associated buildings; the complex continues in its historic use.