ABOUT US

A little background and history

• We believe we have found an approach to God through the life and teachings of Jesus.

• We respect the faithfulness of other people who have other names for the way to God's realm and acknowledge that their ways are true for them.

• We understand that the sharing of bread and wine in Jesus' name is a meaningful way to experience the holy presence of God.

• We invite all people to participate in our community and worship-life without insisting that they become like us.

• We know that the way we behave toward one another and toward other people is the fullest expression of what we believe.

• We find more grace in the search for understanding than we do in dogmatic certainty, more value in questioning than in absolutes.

• We strive for peace and justice among all people.

• We recognize that being followers of Jesus is costly and entails selfless love, conscientious resistance to evil, and renunciation of privilege.

• In summary, we are a small, family centered farming community church who strives to offer a caring, supportive religious experience to our congregation, our town, and surrounding communities. Who offers breaking of bread in God's presence in an inspiring, compassionate environment. Who's parish core values are evident in our fellowship and missions; to offer comfort and peace, friendship and laughter, personal and spiritual growth.

Christ Church is located at the intersection of Old Post Road, South Road, and Route 9W in the hamlet of Marlboro. (Route 9W is, in effect, a newer version of the Post Road.)

The setting consists of the church itself, the rectory ("Parsonage"), and a cemetery. The church is set at an angle to the intersecting roads such that the building is on an east-west axis, with the altar and sanctuary at the eastern end.

The property is raised above the Hudson River level and, were it not for a substantial forested section, would overlook the river. Much of the mid-Hudson region was largely deforested in the 1800s and the church would have possessed a wonderful view of the river and the Dutchess County shore under these conditions. (The western shore of the mid-Hudson area often rises quite abruptly whereas the eastern shore has a milder rise, providing pleasing views from the western highlands.)

The area of the church and rectory is roughly level. The cemetery lies behind the church (toward the river) and begins the slope down to the river. At the foot of the cemetery (nearest the river) a steep drop goes down to the river level and the single railway track that hugs the western shore of the Hudson River.

Chris Episcopal Church is on the state and national register of historic places.