The current Christ Church Parish Church located in
Church Hill,
Christ Church,
Barbados
Barbados, officially the Republic of Barbados, is an island country in the Atlantic Ocean. It is part of the Lesser Antilles of the West Indies and the easternmost island of the Caribbean region. It lies on the boundary of the South American ...
was built in 1935 and is the fifth
parish church
A parish church (or parochial church) in Christianity is the Church (building), church which acts as the religious centre of a parish. In many parts of the world, especially in rural areas, the parish church may play a significant role in com ...
on the site. At various times the previous structures have all been destroyed by natural disasters including flood, fire or hurricanes.
The original Parish church structure was built in 1629 and was located near Dover Beach. In 1669 the church was destroyed by a flood, which scattered coffins and bones from the church cemetery across the beach.
The next church constructed was destroyed in the hurricane of 1780. Another Parish Church was built in 1786 and was again destroyed by the 1831 hurricane. The new church was then destroyed by fire in 1935.
The church is known for its churchyard which contains the notorious
Chase Vault, in which coffins have been said to mysteriously move around within the sealed vault. A detailed investigation by the
Governor of Barbados and members of his staff was made in 1820 but it offered no explanation and the coffins were eventually each buried separately after further recurrences. Today visitors are able to visit the vault at the church site.
External links
Christ Church Parish Church- Official website
History of the Christ Church Parish ChurchThe Diocese of Barbados
(For the Parish of Christ Church)
Christ Church, Barbados
Churches in Barbados
Religious buildings and structures in Barbados
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