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For decades I have visited Christ Episcopal Church, a beautiful Gothic Revival church that sits dramatically on a little hill at the crossroads of Miss. Highway 553 and Church Hill Road.

The church is in the heart of a very historic community called Church Hill.

For decades I have wanted Christ Church to be restored. But it kept going downhill. Monthly worship services did take place there, but they were held in a shabby setting.

Everything was showing age, damage and neglect: the roof, the walls inside and out, the floor, pews, kneelers, windows, doors and entrances.

And then, in early 2020, when Christ Church celebrated its 200th anniversary with more than 300 people in attendance, various church leaders decided to take the leap.

Let’s restore Christ Church!

Money began pouring in. Christ Church member Tate Taylor, who lives in the Church Hill area, took charge of the restoration. Tate was in the construction business before becoming a successful moviemaker. He knows how to get things done by the best craftsmen.

First was a new roof. Then came the restoration of the remainder of the building. After intense work during 2023-2024, the church now looks almost like it looked when it was new in 1858.

Additions to the church include central air and heat, interior lighting, a new handicapped ramp and a new handrail for the front steps.

Now it’s time to celebrate!

At 2 p.m., Easter Sunday, April 20, Christ Church will host a free celebratory concert of Easter-related music by professional musicians who are in Natchez for a performance of Mozart’s “The Magic Flute.”

After the concert, beginning at 3 p.m., will be a worship service led by the Rev. Samuel B. Godfrey.

Both the concert and the worship service are called “Resurrection Sunday! A Celebration of Eternal Life.” We’ll be celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the tomb and the resurrection/restoration of Christ Episcopal Church.

We invite you to join us for the concert and the worship service.

This will definitely be an Easter to remember.

Eileen Ball is a Natchez resident.