Christ Church at Pelham

The Christ Church at Pelham was founded in 1843 by Reverend Robert Bolton. It was one of the earliest Church structures in the Town of Pelham and one of the first examples of an English Parrish-style church. The Church sits on 4 acres of land, the original section features a one-story gabled roof and stone retaining walls. The buildings consist of an 1844 school/parish hall and a rectory which was reconstructed in 1941.

The construction of the Church was a family project. It was built by Reverend Robert Bolton and his sons on property the family donated next to their Bolton Priory residence. The Bolton Priory was the private home of Reverend Bolton and his family built in 1838 on 38 acres of land. The Bolton family was very involved in Pelham; contributing a great deal to the community with the establishment of Christ Church, as well as, the Priory School for local girls. The Priory School, managed by the Reverend's daughters was said to be the first boarding school for girls in the nation. All five sons of Robert Bolton became Episcopal ministers and the family also founded two other Episcopal Churches in the town. They remained an influential family in Pelham for a period of 100 years. 

Christ Church's stain glass window; “The Adoration of the Magi'" is of national significance. It is considered to be the first figured stained glass window made in America. The Magi was designed by Willam Jay Bolton, who many consider to be the first American artist to create figural stained glass. The Church also has other decorative features as the wood carved altar, communion rail, and corbels, which attributed to the Reverend's son John, who became an architect.

The Church retains much of its original integrity which can be viewed today.

1. Christ Church at Pelham, Westchester County Inventory of Historic Places. Accessed November 18th 2020.
2. "History." Christ Church Pelham. Last modified January 10, 2019. https://christchurchpelham.org/history/