For over a century, Christ Episcopal Church has served as a religious and cultural center for the city of Pensacola. Pensacola's Episcopalian tradition began in 1832, with the construction of Old Christ Church located on Seville Square. During the late 19th century, Pensacola's population boomed and the invention of new modes of transportation moved the cultural and economic center of the city north.

For these reasons, Reverend Percival H. Whaley sought to establish a new church for his congregation and in 1897 church officials began to develop plans for the relocation of the parish.

Church officials purchased a plot of land for the new establishment on the corner of Wright and Palafox Streets in 1899 and contracted with John Sutcliffe, an architect from Chicago, to create plans for a new church. Completed with a budget of just $25,000, Sutcliffe's use of classical Spanish Baroque architecture reflects Pensacola's Hispanic heritage.

Reverend Edwin Gardiner Weed laid the cornerstone for Christ Episcopal Church on June 4, 1902 and the first service held in the new facility occurred on Easter Sunday, 1903.

Since opening its doors in 1903, Christ Church has expanded and now includes a Parish Hall, Episcopal Day School, a gymnasium, Christian Education and Music Center, and many administrative buildings. In 2004, Hurricane Ivan heavily damaged the interior of the Nave and exterior façade, requiring extensive repairs to return the church to its original splendor. The church continues to serve as a center for community outreach and tradition.

All documents and photographs are courtesy of the West Florida Historic Preservation, Inc. Narrative written by Kathleen McGuinness, Public History Graduate Student, University of West Florida.