About Christ Church
In 1977, fifteen families in the Albertville/Boaz area wanted to start a new church. In January, Sand Mountain Episcopal Chapel began meeting over Bains Appliance Store with the permission of the diocese. Eventually, Ellen Bains Perryman, a member of the chapel, heard of a little church in Piedmont that was about to be torn down. The worn-down church was partially dismantled, put on wheels and was moved up to Albertville, where it was about to begin a new life.
To honor the church’s rich history, the members decided to keep the name Christ Church, as it had first been named and consecrated in 1892. Many of the pieces from the original church remain in our place of worship today, not to mention a beautiful three panel Gothic-style stained glass window from England. The bell from the original church now rings every Sunday when the members meet for worship.
In 2010, a tornado ripped a hole in the roof of the church and moved it off of its foundation. Although the parish was unharmed, the main building couldn’t be salvaged due to the severity of the damage. Two years later, the church was rebuilt and consecrated for the third time.
Today, Christ Church members are active in the community through ministries such as the Christ Church Food Pantry & Comfort Cupboard, Canterbury Club at Snead State Community College, and Annual Blessing of the Animals and Pet Food Drive for Second Chance Shelter.
We look forward to worshiping with you!
Our Mission, Vision, and Core Values
Our Clergy and Staff
The Rev Shari B. Harrison
The Reverend Shari Bishop Harrison is a native of Albertville who grew up attending Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, where her father was a deacon. After graduating from Albertville High School, she graduated from Athens State University with a Bachelor of Accounting degree. Shari completed graduate studies in public administration at the University of Oklahoma while working for the Department of the Army as a civilian in the comptroller career field. After holding jobs in Huntsville, Alabama; Enterprise, Alabama; Seoul, Korea; the Republic of Panama; and Miami, Florida, Shari deferred retirement in 1999 to care for her mother after her father’s death. Her mother subsequently passed away in 2009.
Shari was confirmed in the Episcopal Church in 1990, becoming a member of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Huntsville. She was more recently a member of the Church of the Epiphany in Guntersville. She served as treasurer for over six years, chair of the Finance Ministry, Altar Guild member and co-chair, and member of the Stewardship Ministry. Other ministries included usher, lector, Cursillo/Ultreya, reunion group, children’s music programs, Education for Ministry (EfM) graduate and mentor, and Vacation Bible School teacher.
Shari was ordained as a transitional deacon on April 7, 2022. She graduated with a Master of Divinity degree from the School of Theology at The University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee, on May 6, 2022. Her first day at Christ Church was July 1, 2022 and she was ordained to the priesthood on November 17, 2022.
You can email Shari at shari@christepiscopalalbertville.org.
Linda Nichols
Parish Office Administrator
Linda comes to us from a career in Christian Education as an author and teacher. An avid crafter, when she isn’t in the office she can be found knitting, quilting, or reading. Favorite Bible story? Jonah & the Whale.
Ralph Strawn
Organist
When he isn’t following his latest flight of fancy at the keyboard, Ralph can be found considering his next move in a game of chess, his next letter for today’s Wordle, or workshopping his next joke as an amateur stand up comedian. He’s a full time lawyer and part time jack of all trades.
Sara Markham
Soloist / Communications Coordinator
Drawn to the Episcopal Church through its music, Sara has served in various parish music ministries since 2006. She is also the Director of Vocal/Choral Music at Northeast Alabama Community College. Favorite Bible verse? For nothing will be impossible with God. -Luke 1:37
What We Believe
As Episcopalians, we believe in and follow the teachings of Jesus Christ, whose life, death, and resurrection saved the world.
The Episcopal Church embraces a legacy of inclusion, aspiring to tell and exemplify God’s love for every human being
Core to our Beliefs:
The Book of Common Prayer
The Book of Common Prayer is a treasure chest full of devotional and teaching resources for individuals and congregations, but it is also the primary symbol of our unity. We, who are many and diverse, come together in Christ through our worship, our common prayer.
The Bible
The Bible is our foundation, understood through tradition and reason, containing all things necessary for salvation. Our worship is filled with Scripture from beginning to end.
The Creeds
In the two foundational statements of faith—the Apostles’ Creed used at baptism, and the Nicene Creed used at communion—we join Christians throughout the ages in affirming our faith in the one God who created us, redeemed us, and sanctifies us.
The Sacraments
“Sacraments are outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace” (Book of Common Prayer, p. 857).
- Baptism
- The Eucharist (Holy Communion),
- Confirmation (the adult affirmation of our baptismal vows)
- Reconciliation of a Penitent (private confession)
- Matrimony (Christian marriage
- Orders (ordination to deacon, priest, or bishop)
- Unction (anointing with oil those who are sick or dying)
607 E Main Street, Albertville, AL 35950
Sunday School: 9:00 AM
Holy Eucharist: 10:30 AM