Christ Church Episcopal was organized in 1842 with 37 charter members, who included notable citizens Anson Brewster, Jr. (1807-1864) and Dr. Israel Town (1791-1853). Meetings were first held above Brewster's store (5 Aurora Street) until a church was erected in 1846 on land provided by Brewster near his store. Architect Simeon Porter (1807-1871) designed the Gothic Revival structure with the bell cast by the Andrew Meneely Bell Company of West Troy, New York (the firm which cast the replacement for the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia). In 1849, a clock was added to the steeple, but was removed in 1890 when it became a safety hazard. The congregation grew in size and they eventually outgrew the church. In 1926, a building fund campaign was launched. By 1930, the congregation had voted to raze the original church and construct a new building on its foundations. The pews, altar, and bell were kept. The new church was dedicated on November 30, 1930. The new Colonial Revival structure was designed by Charles Frank and was said to be modeled after St. Christopher's-by-the-River in Gates Mills, Ohio.