A brief history of St. Christopher's by-the-River In 1826 Halsey Gates with his family founded the Village of Gates Mills, built homes, a school, store and lumber and gristmills. One of the Gates homes became the Chagrin Valley Hunt Club. The land opposite the Club was leased by Mr. Gates to the Methodist Church and the main part of the present building was erected through his benevolence in 1853. It was stated in the lease that should the Methodist Church cease to hold services there, the land was to return to Mr. Gates' heirs. The Methodists continued to hold services there for 74 years. In the spring of 1906 permission was given to the Episcopal Church to hold vespers services Sunday afternoons during the summer. The Rev. Wilson R. Stearley, rector of Emmanuel Church in Cleveland, conducted these services for several years before they were discontinued. Many changes were made in the village over the next few years and in 1926 a canvass of the neighborhood was taken and revealed a predominance of Episcopalians and an interest in having their church services in the village. Vespers services were resumed. This led to the relinquishment of rights to the church property by the Methodist Trustees and the establishment of a Mission of the Episcopal Church. The name chosen was St. Christopher' a-by-the-River. On Sunday, January 17, 1927, Dr. J. Frank Jackson conducted the first service as rector. The house next door was secured as a rectory. On February 6, 1927, Bishop Leonard celebrated Holy Communion and blessed the church and congregation. A number of people who were Methodists joined St. Christopher's and were confirmed at the first Confirmation service, In the fall of 1927 the property was bought at public sale from the heirs of Halsey Gates. Plans were accepted and work was done by adding a chancel, sanctuary, and Sunday school rooms to the original church. A peal of 8 bells were cast in England and installed in the tower. The custom of "blessing the hounds" was observed for the first time in America at St. Christopher's and continues to be a colorful ceremony to this day. Having spent 5 years of loving service the people, with great regret, accepted Dr. Jackson's resignation, On June 1, 1932 The Rev, J. Keeney McDowell, appointed by Bishop Rogers, began his services as rector. The annual Every Member Canvass for securing church maintenance funds was begun in 1932. In 1942 the Vestry bought half-interest in a movie projector so that movies could be shown on the lawn, to avoid offending those who might be disturbed about using the church for this purpose. During the summers of 1943-45 the movies were enjoyed by all whose entertainment was restricted because of gasoline rationing. War work was done by the rector and members of the church and donations made to various funds. A War Shrine was installed in the Baptistery, where it remains, with names of Parishioners who served their country in World War II. St. Christopher’s has enjoyed the privilege of having five different rectors since it's establishment in 1927: J. Frank Jackson, J. Keeney McDowell, John R. Pattie, William D. Shivery, and W. Taylor Moore, Jr. The people are the church and each organization is busy and devoted in its own area of interest. The church building has been kept intact in spite of several renovations and additions and stands to welcome all who pass through its doors. Sources: "Gates Mills and a History of Its Village Church" by Helen Hunscher Wilkinson "Historical Sketches of the Village of Gates Mills" Sponsored by the Gates Mills Community Club Excerpts from the Booklet "St. Christopher's by-the-River" Gates Mills, Ohio" (1927) A special thanks to parishioner Polly Bixler for her contribution of this article. |
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