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428
Pee Dee Avenue, Albemarle, NC 28001 (704) 982-1428
The
Rev. Dr. James B. Bernacki, Rector
Who We Are
About
the Episcopal Church
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The
Episcopal Church in the United States is a constituent
member of the worldwide Anglican Communion, a Fellowship
within the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.
The Anglican Communion traces its roots to the Church
of England, which split from the Roman (Catholic) Church
in the sixteenth |
century.
The division was driven by the influence of the Reformation,
by corruption in the Roman Church and by personal disputes
between English monarchs and the Pope.
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The
Episcopal church fulfills the essential conditions of
both Catholic and Protestant churches and consequently
has been called the "Bridge Church". It is
Catholic in that it maintains a three tiered ministry
of bishops, priests, and deacons who stand in a line
of succession dating to the time of the apostles. Further,
it is Catholic in that it uses the Apostolic and Nicene
creeds, the Bible, and celebrates the sacraments of
Holy Baptism and Holy Communion ordained by Jesus Christ.
The Episcopal Church is Protestant in that it maintains
the essential "protest" against the unique
authority of the Pope and is further protetant in its
freeedom of individual Christians with regard to matters
of religious practice. |
The
Diocese of North Carolina
The Episcopal
Church in North Carolina is divided geographically from
the coast to the mountains into three dioceses, East Carolina,
North Carolina and Western North Carolina. Christ Church
is one of sixty-eight parishes in the Diocese of North Carolina.
The diocese was established in 1817 and includes thirty-nine
counties extending from Tarboro in the East to Charlotte
in the West. The geographic area includes the central section
of North Carolina known as the Piedmont, which is a region
known for its rural heritage and its fine educational facilities.
Christ
Church - Albemarle
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Christ
Church is the only Episcopal Church in Stanly County,
which contributes to the diversity of the parish.
Members come from various parts of Stanly County as
well as neighboring counties to worship here. The
people worshipping at Christ Church include individuals
from various professions, individuals who operate
their own businesses, educators, individuals who are
in public service and local government; as well as
retirees who have moved to the vicinity from |
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different areas of the country. A respect
for each others' talents, interests, strengths, and weaknesses
has created a place that we are pleased to call our church
home.
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Our
approach to worship is traditional with an openness
to new ideas. Many of our members are involved in the
community, either individually or through organizations.
Our members value worship as a way of strengthening
our experience with God and the Christian tradition.
We feel a strong Christian bond as we seek to help each
other deepen our personal and spiritual relationship
with God. We are a welcoming, caring, and faith-filled |
community
of worshipers. While not large in number, Christ Church
has maintained an active role in community life and has
been responsible for a number of programs that have been
expanded by the community at large following their genesis
within the parish.
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The
facilities of Christ Episcopal Church comprise two
main buildings: Christ Church and the Parish House.
Christ Church is a lovely natural North Carolina Bluestone
(slate) structure located on Pee Dee Avenue about
three blocks from downtown Albemarle. The cross-shaped
building has an interior full of charm with exposed
wood beams, natural wood floors and pews. Stained
glass windows, of exceptional quality, add to the
beauty and reverence of the main worship space. The
sacristy provides working space for the Altar Guild
as well as storage. A ramp for the handicapped is
located to the west side of the building for easy
access to the Parish House and to the U-shaped drive
around the church. The church is a 2,100 square foot
building, |
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and
is heated and air conditioned. A columbarium is located
on the east side of the church.
Located
directly behind the church is the Parish House. The 8,800
square foot building houses the Parish Hall, educational
classrooms and parish offices. In addition to its use by
the parish it is available for meetings by local groups
and organizations. A second floor chapel is used for weekday
services and is available during the regular parish office
hours for private meditation. The building is heated and
air conditioned.
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