Look for a striking stone church with a tall tower and bright red doors-the Christ Episcopal Church stands boldly ahead of you.
Imagine yourself here back in 1841, when this was the very first Episcopal Church in Williamsport. You’d have seen townsfolk gathering on a Sunday morning, dressed in their best, excited by the new spiritual home rising from the Pennsylvania soil. The building you’re facing has stood since 1843, but it isn’t just any church-it’s famous for its high-church, Anglo-Catholic traditions, meaning you might catch the lingering scent of incense or catch faint echoes of ancient chants if you listen closely. The real showstopper, though, is inside: the sanctuary glows with the vibrant colors of authentic Tiffany stained-glass windows. Even the tiles beneath your feet would tell stories, and the brass and woodwork shine with the kind of craftsmanship you almost never see anymore. And here’s a fun twist-this church once had the Rev. Dr. John Henry Hopkins, Jr. as its rector, the very composer of the holiday classic “We Three Kings.” So next Christmas, when you find yourself humming that tune, remember: it was written right here! Now, let’s soak up that history and take in the beauty of this Williamsport treasure.
