Our History

Christ Church began as a church plant in 2005-06, temporarily holding services at the Marsh Arts Center in downtown Berkeley on Allston Way near Oxford Street. In 2010, Christ Church found a permanent home in one of Berkeley’s architectural treasures. Our sanctuary, located at the corner of Cedar Street and Walnut Street, was built in 1913 by architect James W. Plachek as his first major commission. Designed in the Arts and Crafts style and affectionately known as the “Berkeley Bungalow Church,” the building has long been a place of worship and community gathering. A congregation has been meeting on these grounds since 1892. Today, Christ Church continues the legacy of faith and community by living out our mission: leading people into deeper relationships with Christ and His Church, through community and for the city.

Below are some photos of the church building in times past and a newspaper article about architect James W. Plachek that also mentions “the Berkeley Bungalow Church.”