By Carolyn Vance Smith

For The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — The first-ever Sunday morning worship service in southwest Mississippi to have the first half take place at one Episcopal church and the second half to take place at another Episcopal church is set for Sunday, June 24.

The joint service will celebrate the reunion of Christ Church and Trinity Church, the two oldest churches in the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi.

The service at Christ Church at Church Hill, 18 miles north of Natchez, will begin at 9 a.m., with scripture readings, prayers and homily by The Rev. Kenneth Ritter, vicar at Christ Church.

The congregation will then move to Trinity Episcopal Church at Natchez to conclude the service at 10:30 a.m. with Holy Communion administered by Ritter, who is also priest-in-charge at Trinity Church.

“The two congregations officially reaffirmed their longtime partnership this spring,” Ritter said. Christ Church was founded in 1820, and Trinity Church in 1822.  

Because Christ Church has had a very small congregation for many decades, it is called a mission station, Ritter said. Trinity Church is called a parish because of its larger constituency.

“Many people at both Christ Church and at Trinity Church are working to stabilize Christ Church and to foster growth and ministry there,” Ritter said.

The process is an example of history repeating itself, said The Right Rev. Brian Seage, Bishop of the Diocese.

“Trinity Church and Christ Church have been partners in ministry since the 1900s,” Seage said. “It’s exciting to see this relationship deepen.”

In May 1929, official minutes of Christ Church reveal that the rector of Trinity Church at that time, The Rev. Joseph Kuehnle, strongly advocated at that year’s Episcopal convention that stronger parishes should aid and strengthen weaker parishes.

The minutes read, “Quite incidentally it transpires that to Mr. Kuehnle fell the first opportunity to put into practice that which he so strongly advocated.”

The vestry of Trinity Church in 1929 readily consented to the arrangement because, minutes reveal, “the closer relationship will enable us to render mutual assistance to the better accomplishment of our common task of extending Christ’s Kingdom to all everywhere.”

Growth at Christ Church has begun, Ritter said. “In February, seven new members were brought into Christ Church at a service conducted by Bishop Seage.”

Two of the new members are John Norris, Wyolah Films producer, and Tate Taylor, film actor, screenwriter, film producer and director, noted for “The Help,” “Get On Up,” “The Girl on the Train” and “Ma.” 

“Tate and I are excited to be a part of the momentum behind the ever-expanding congregation at Christ Church and our invigorating welcome into the Trinity Church family,” Norris said.  “We look forward to being a part of this church community.” 

Elected leaders at Trinity Church are likewise enthusiastic about the renewed, pastoral relationship with Christ Church, said Robin Punches, senior warden of Trinity’s Vestry. “We have great confidence that our partnership will be mutually beneficial,” he said.

“We certainly welcome all members of the Christ Church to join us at Trinity Church in worship,” he said. “We also look forward to joining members of Christ Church in events over the years to come.” 

After the service at Trinity Church on June 24, a complimentary luncheon will be served in the church’s Kuehnle Hall, Ritter said. “We want everyone to stay to socialize and hear remarks by church leaders about the future of both churches,” he said.

Transportation from Trinity Church to Christ Church and back again is available. Those wanting a ride should be at Trinity Church by 8:20 a.m. The bus will depart sharply at 8:30 a.m., Ritter said.

For those who cannot attend the service at 9 a.m. at Christ Church, morning prayer will be read at Trinity Church at 10 a.m.

Christ Church is located in Church Hill, 11 miles west of U.S. 61 on Mississippi 553. Trinity Church is located at 305 S. Commerce St. in Natchez.

“We encourage everyone at Trinity Church to join hands with our friends at Christ Church that morning,” Ritter said. “Everyone in southwest Mississippi is invited to celebrate with us.”