Christ Episcopal Church

About Us

A spiritual home for all people, demonstrating God’s unconditional love.

At Christ Episcopal Church in Poughkeepsie you will find a vibrant and growing community of individuals and families, on a journey together towards a more complete life with God.

We range in age from infant to those-of-more-mature-years.

We are single, in families, and partnered.

We are straight and gay.

We are looking for work, working nine-to-five, working more than one job, and recently retired.

We vote blue and we vote red. We are traditional in our outlook towards liturgy and music, and we love to experiment in liturgy and music.

We are able-bodied, use walkers, ride skateboards and are in motorized wheelchairs.

Most especially, we are all God’s children. We strive to always be a community that expresses welcome, compassion, and hospitality to all who enter our doors.

Vibe: Traditional Liturgy, Friendly, Progressive, Gay affirming, Inclusive, Multigenerational, Young families, Lots of kids

Programs: Community Service, Social Justice, Addiction/Recovery, Choir, Nursery, Adult Education

Music: Traditional Hymns, Organ

Denomination: Episcopal

Networks

Episcopal Diocese of New York

Size: Medium

Language: English

Founded: 1766

Contact Information

Phone

845-452-8220

Website

http://www.christchurchpok.org

Social

Our Services

Service Times

Sunday

10:00am: Rite II Eucharist (a service of word and music, in contemprary American English, that includes the Lord's Supper)
08:00am: Rite I Eucharist (a service of word without music, in Elizabethean English, that includes the Lord's Supper)

What to Expect

What are services like?
Our 8:00am service is a very typical 'Rite I' early morning Episcopal service: the language of the liturgy is 'Elizabethan'. There is no music. The sermon is identical to the one preached at the 10:00am service. The 8:00am service usually lasts about 45 minutes. The 10:00am utilizes the Rite II Episcopal liturgy: based in contemporary American English. Our music is primarily from the traditional side of the spectrum - largely from the 'old masters'. We do also sing hymns - and the choir presents anthems - from current composes. But . . . probably nothing that one would hear on 'contemporary Christian radio'. We celebrate Holy Communion at both services, to which all are welcome. For those whose faith experience or tradition does not led them to receive the bread and wine of the Lord's Supper in an Episcopal Church, we invite and encourage them to come forward for a prayer of thanksgiving and blessing.

What is the community like?
We have newborns - infants - toddlers - adolescents - teens - young adults - growing families - single - partnered - empty-nesters - grandparents - and the 'over 80' bunch. Gay, straight. Over all, on the progressive-to-liberal end of the spectrum. But plenty of folks who 'vote red'.

What if I'm not a Christian?
Everyone is welcome at Christ Church. We have a number of people who call this place their 'spiritual home' who are not Christians. Some of those are seeking a path to God, and might become a Christian some day, and some likely will not. We have a 'multi-faith' family - one Christian, one Jewish - with both members very active in the parish. Everyone is welcome at Christ Church.

Leadership

Wm. Blake Rider

Fr. Blake became the 26th Rector of Christ Episcopal Church in June of 2006. He came to Poughkeepsie from Houston, Texas, where he had served on the staff of Christ Church Cathedral following his graduation from Virginia Theological Seminary in 2004 and subsequent ordination to the priesthood. Prior to responding to a call to the priesthood, Blake worked in the oil & gas industry for 20 years. He lived in Karachi, Pakistan in 1986-87, and in Tunis, Tunisia from 1994 until 1998. Fr. Blake is a native of Oklahoma and a member of the Cherokee Nation. His undergraduate studies were in History & Business Administration at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It was while he was a student at ORU that he was confirmed in the Episcopal Church - thanks in large part to music ministry and the Brotherhood of St. Andrews at St. John's Episcopal Church. His faith as an adult grew and matured in Houston, largely in lay ministry at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church. As a result of participation in St. Stephen's ministry to individuals living with AIDS, Blake helped found, organize, and manage Milam House, the first group residence for people living with AIDS. He also was involved in the organization and development of the Houston Scottish Rite Dyslexia Training Center. His ministry in the Episcopal Church outside the bounds of the parish include serving as Dean of the Southern Dutchess Clericus, and as a member of the Diocese of New York's LGBT Concerns Committee. In 2006 Fr. Blake was the recipient of the John Hines Preaching Award, given annually to the outstanding preaching entry “where prophetic voice is central within the sermon.”