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On [[October 14]], [[1829]], the newly-formed Protestant Episcopal Congregation of the City of Pensacola petitioned the Territory of Florida to incorporate [[Christ Church Parish]]. Governor William P. Duval approved the Act of Incorporation on [[October 16]]. Construction of the building began in [[1830]] and finished in [[1832]] at a total cost of $4,500. The design is said to be taken from a plan by Sir [[Wikipedia:Christopher Wren|Christopher Wren]].
During the [[Civil War]], the church was used by Union forces as a hospital and barracks.
==Expansion==
Between [[1878]]-[[1879]], a major renovation effort was undertaken at a cost of $4,000. An addition of twenty feet was added to the west side, to make room for a new sacristy and choir room; the floor, damaged in the [[Civil War]], was replaced; gothic arches were built into the ceiling; the tower was remodeled with dormer windows on each side; a porch was added to the southern end; the organ lost was removed, and an alter rail was added; and a strained glassed window, entitled "Light of the World," was installed over the alter. The renovations were designed by New York architect [[Wikipedia:Charles C. Haight|Charles C. Haight]], and [[Joseph Areson]] of Pensacola was the contractor. The pipe organ, destroyed in the [[Civil War]], was replaced in [[1887]].
==The Church moves==
{{main|Old Christ Church Foundation}}
By [[1995]], the City and the Historical Society had allowed the church to deteriorate, and ownership of the building reverted back to [[Christ Church Parish]]. This was approved uninamously by the [[Pensacola City Council]] on [[February 22]], [[1996]]. Following an engineering study by firm [[Baskerville-Donovan]], it was determined that the old church would require $172,000 to be brought back up to code and an additional $380,000 to be fully restored. A non-profit organization, the [[Old Christ Church Foundation]], was established to take ownership of the building and to administer its renovations and future use.
==Images==
<gallery>
Image:OldChristChurch1962.jpg|The church in 1962
Image:OldChristChurchMuseum1962.jpg|For many years the church was home to the [[Pensacola Historical Society]].
Image:OldChristChurchSouthPorch1962.jpg|This south porch was probably added during the 1878-79 renovations.
</gallery>
==References and external links==