Background

Christ Church Parish Church: A Testament to Resilience

Discover a resilient landmark in Barbados: Christ Church Parish Church, a site of historical significance and mysterious legends.

Christ Church Parish Church, standing on Church Hill, is more than just a religious site; it's a symbol of perseverance. The current structure, consecrated in 1935, is the fifth iteration, each previous church having succumbed to natural disasters like floods, hurricanes, and fire. Its graveyard is known for the mysterious Chase Vault.

A brief summary to Christ Church

  • Christ Church, BB

Local tips

  • Explore the churchyard to discover the intriguing Chase Vault and ponder the mysteries surrounding its moving coffins.
  • Take in the breathtaking view of Oistins Bay from the church's vantage point on Church Hill Road.
  • Consider visiting on a Sunday to attend a service and experience the church's vibrant community.
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Getting There

  • Public Transport

    From Oistins, the Christ Church Parish Church is accessible via Barbados Transport Board buses, ZR vans, and minibuses. Look for buses heading towards Church Hill. The fare is a fixed rate of BBD $3.50. Alight at the 'Church Hill (Christ Church)' stop, a 17-minute walk to the church.

  • Taxi

    Taxis are readily available throughout Christ Church. A taxi from Oistins to the Christ Church Parish Church will cost approximately BBD $19-$24. Confirm the fare with the driver before starting your journey.

  • Walking

    From Oistins, the Christ Church Parish Church is approximately a 30-minute walk uphill. Head north along the main road, following signs for Church Hill. Be prepared for a moderately steep incline.

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Discover more about Christ Church

Christ Church Parish Church, perched atop Church Hill in the parish of Christ Church, Barbados, carries a weighty history within its walls and surrounding grounds. The present-day church, a stately building consecrated in 1935, represents the fifth attempt to establish a lasting house of worship on this site. The story of its predecessors is a chronicle of devastation, with each earlier structure felled by the unforgiving forces of nature. The first church, a humble wooden structure, was erected around 1629 near Dover Beach. However, in 1669, a catastrophic flood swept it away, scattering coffins and bones from the cemetery across the beach. Undeterred, a second church was built on the present site, only to be destroyed by the Great Hurricane of 1780, a storm so fierce it claimed thousands of lives and leveled every building on the island. A third church, constructed in 1786, met a similar fate, succumbing to the hurricane of 1831. The fourth church was destroyed by fire in 1935. Beyond its architectural and historical significance, Christ Church Parish Church is renowned for the enigmatic Chase Vault located in its churchyard. This vault, the final resting place of the Chase family, is shrouded in mystery due to the alleged inexplicable movement of coffins within its sealed confines. The story tells of coffins rearranging themselves, with the wooden coffin of Mrs. Thomasina Goddard (the vault's earliest occupant) being smashed to pieces. These occurrences sparked fear and unrest, leading to a detailed investigation in 1820 by the Governor of Barbados, which offered no explanation. Eventually, the coffins were buried separately, and the vault was left vacant. Today, visitors can still visit the vault.

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