Christ Episcopal Church is the only National Historic Landmark church in North Carolina. As one of four churches that face Union Square, the original sanctuary was designed in 1848 by Richard Upjohn, architect of New York’s Trinity Church and the founder of the American Institute of Architects. The complex has been modified and added onto numerous times, leading to disjointed internal circulation, a lack of quality public gathering spaces, and an obscure front entry.

As one of the first Gothic Revival churches in the American South, today’s congregation was committed to expanding the facility to meet contemporary needs as the complex entered its third century. The addition creates a major new entry from the east and serves as a threshold into the Capital Square National Historic District. Its quiet reinterpretation of Gothic Revival architecture makes it a sensitive expansion of the existing important historic structures.

By redefining the major public spaces, a new circulation spine is created through the complex, terminating at the iconic bell tower facing Capital Square. Original exterior granite walls including arches and columns that have been covered for over fifty years within the building’s interior have once again been exposed to these main public gathering spaces, adding a richness and a connection to the building’s historic architecture. By the simple introduction of structural glass walls, the significant exterior courtyards on the building’s south and west sides are connected to these interior public spaces, enhancing their quality. Finally, the expansion of the Parish Hall to serve larger church and community functions and the addition of a full commercial kitchen allows Christ Church to expand its mission as a major urban community center.