While Christ Church remains closed to the public, the Events Committee and the Board of Directors of the Christ Church Guilford Society, Inc. (CCGS), keep our work in the public eye in ways other than indoor events. In addition to a concert on the lawn featuring the BUHS Jazz Band in late May, and an upcoming concert by the local Back O’Town Cajun Band (stay tuned for details!), the Undercroft at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Brattleboro mounted “Christ Church Guilford Past and Future: An Exhibit” in July.
Conceived by members of the CCGS Events Committee, and designed by Board member Kate McGinn, the exhibit told the Christ Church story through a variety of materials. Some of the historic documents, 
which can be found on this page of the CCGS website, included a copy of the 1990 By-Laws and the 1893 deed of the Episcopal Church at East Guilford; Page 1 of the inventory nomination form of Christ Church for the National Register of Historic Places; and the 1982 and 2002 agreements between the Trustees of the Diocese of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, and Incorporated Society for the Preservation of Christ’s Church in Guilford. The Trustees are a valued partner in CCGS’s work, especially for their support of our various grant applications.
In addition, the exhibit showcased the names of church members who paid for the pews, which enabled the building to be constructed, and a list of the clergy who served Christ Church while it was an active congregation. Several programs and posters from past concerts and events – a Christmas concert in 2004, Old Home Day in 2003, and the church’s 75th anniversary in 1893 – were mounted for easy viewing. Also on display were an old foot warmer and donation box, a piece of slate from the roof, and the poem by Ellen McCulloch Lovell delivered at the 200th anniversary gala in 2018. Andy and Elise Burrows kindly donated photos of their Christ Church wedding (see below).
Forward-looking displays in the exhibit included a “wish list” of improvements the Board hopes to make in the next few years and grants we have received to date. Events that can be hosted once the building is open – long and ambitious – were highlighted to inspire and educate. The recent repair work on the tower, necessitated by the September 2023 lightning strike, were showcased – as was a July shot of the beloved building without its spired top. The Board will be discussing next steps on restoration efforts, and Christ Church supporters will undoubtedly have the opportunity to help out.
The exhibit included several items available by donation: the 2016 booklet on the history of Christ Church by the late Robert Anderson; Wolf Kahn prints of “Christ Church in Summer Light;” and pieces of slate from the roof. For sale were beautiful sets of note cards designed by Andy Burrows. These articles are available at most Christ Church events.
Thank-you to all who visited the exhibit, to the volunteers who staffed it, to the Vestry of St. Michael’s for their kind note, to St. Michael’s parishioner Rosie Wojcik for the exhibit photos, and to Susan Heimer and Tim Ragle for their wedding photos!
Andy and Elise Burrows wedding, August 1974
Heimer-Ragle Wedding, July 2014