Christ Church was founded in Macon, Georgia on March 5, 1825, in response to the missionary visit of the Rev. Lot Jones the previous year. It was the first church founded in the growing settlement on the banks of the Ocmulgee River, which had itself only been formally chartered in 1823. Christ Church soon joined the two-year old Diocese of Georgia. When the Diocese of Atlanta was formed in 1909, it was organized at a convention held at Christ Church, making Christ Church the oldest church in the diocese and the Mother Church of the Diocese of Atlanta.
This year, Christ Church celebrates the Bicentennial of its founding. Our celebration began last August with a parish-wide brunch and in October we gathered for a parish picnic. We have been exploring out past with monthly forums in which the Bicentennial Committee has presented the results of their historical research. Our music program, Walnut Street Music, has calendar of special offerings for the Bicentennial, including monthly organ concerts and quarterly celebrations of Choral Evensong.
In 2025 the celebration continues with a cocktail party in January, and Bicentennial service and reception in February, and art show and flower show in March, and a concluding gala in May. We are also publishing a commemorative coffee table book, Sacred Reflections: Christ Church, Macon 1825–2025. We look forward observing this momentous anniversary as a parish community and invite all our neighbors in Macon and throughout the state of Georgia to join in the celebration.
January
5th (5:30p) – First Sundays on the Fisk: Davis Badaszewski & Kelsey Berg
12th (9:30a) – History Forum: Stained Glass Windows, Part 2
23rd (6p) – Bicentennial Cocktail Party
February
2nd (5:30p) – First Sundays on the Fisk: Christa Rakich
16th (9:30a) – History Forum: Evolution of the Church Campus
20th (7:30p) – Walnut Street Music Presents: Apollo 5
27th (6p) – Bicentennial Service & Reception
March
2nd (5:30p) – First Sunday on the Fisk: Nathan Laube
16th (9:30a) – History Forum: The Altar Guild
16th (5:30p) – Choral Evensong
22nd–25th – Old City Flower Festival
22nd–25th – Sacred Reflections Fine Art Show
April
6th (5:30p) – First Sundays on the Fisk: Jack Mitchener & Robert McDuffie
May
1st (6p) – Bicentennial Gala
18th (5:30p) – Choral Evensong
22nd (7:30p) – Walnut Street Music Presents: Jazz on Walnut Street
Bicentennial Cocktail Party
Thursday, January 23 at 6p
Georgia and Bob Hatcher will be hosting a Bicentennial cocktail party in their home to celebrate the upcoming 200th anniversary of the founding of the parish and to preview our commemorative coffee table book Sacred Reflections. Attendance is limited to those 21 and older. Contact the church office to RSVP and to get directions.
Bicentennial Service & Reception
Thursday, February 27 at 6p
A special service of celebration and thanksgiving for the 200th anniversary of Christ Church’s founding will be held in the nave of Christ Church. The Rt. Rev. Robert Wright, Bishop of Atlanta will celebrate. Past clergy and special guests from the Diocese of Atlanta and the City of Macon have been invited. A reception will follow in the Great Hall. Nursery care will be available.
Bicentennial Gala
Thursday, May 1 at 6p
The Bicentennial celebration year will conclude with a celebratory gala held in the Parish House of Christ Church. There will be live music, food, and cocktails.
As the oldest church in the city, Christ Church is proud to invite the Macon community to join in our Bicentennial celebration during the city’s beloved annual Cherry Blossom Festival March 21–30. During the festival, Christ Church will be open for tours and Susan Welsh will be offering a lecture on our stained glass windows. During the festival week, we will also be hosting this year’s Old City Flower Festival and an art show, Sacred Reflections, featuring local artists displaying works featuring or inspired by Christ Church and the beauty of faith and spirituality.
January Forum
Sunday, January 12 at 9:30a
Susan Welsh will return to give the second part of her presentation on the history, artistic significance, and symbolism of Christ Church’s stained glass windows.
February Forum
Sunday, February 16 at 9:30a
Russ Henry returns to discuss the evolution of Christ Church’s campus and grounds throughout the years, illustrated with a wealth of historical photos from the parish archives.
March Forum
Sunday, March 16 at 9:30a
For the final history forum, Nan Harper joins us to discuss the history and work of the altar guild as well as the the linens, vestments, and sacramental vessels they care for.
First Sundays on the Fisk is a monthly organ concert series in which talented musicians from across the country are invited to perform on Christ Church’s magnificent C.B Fisk & Co. Op. 115 organ.
January: Davis Badaszewski & Kelsey Berg
Sunday, January 5 at 5:30p
Both Davis and Kelsey are doctoral candidates in Organ Performance at the Cleveland Institute of Music and have strong ties to Christ Church and Macon. Their impressive backgrounds include prestigious scholarships, teaching positions, and active involvement in professional organizations. Join us for an unforgettable evening of organ music as these talented musicians showcase their skills on the Fisk organ.
February: Christa Rakich
Sunday, February 2 at 5:30p
Ms. Rakich performs extensively throughout North America, Europe, and Japan, captivating audiences with her masterful interpretations. She is currently Visiting Professor of Organ at Oberlin Conservatory in Ohio and maintains Artist-in-Residencies at St. John’s Episcopal Church in West Hartford and the Congregational Church of Somers, Connecticut.
Ms. Rakich’s impressive career includes studies as a Fulbright Scholar with Bach interpreter Anton Heiller in Vienna, Austria. She holds degrees from Oberlin College and New England Conservatory, and has served on the faculties of1 numerous prestigious institutions, including Westminster Choir College, Brandeis University, and Harvard University.
A highly sought-after collaborator, Ms. Rakich frequently performs with other musicians and is a founding member of the Marion Baroque Ensemble. She has also commissioned and premiered new works, demonstrating her commitment to expanding the organ repertoire.
Widely acclaimed for her interpretations of J.S. Bach, Ms. Rakich has recorded several of his works, including the Clavierübung III, Leipzig Chorales, and Trio Sonatas. Her discography also includes recordings of organ music by women composers and performances on notable instruments.
March: Nathan Laube
Sunday, March 2 at 5:30p
Nathan Laube is a leading performer and pedagogue who is beloved around the world. His extensive recital career includes major venues spanning four continents. In August 2022 he performed a solo organ recital for the prestigious BBC Proms at Royal Albert Hall in London.
He is regularly called upon to inaugurate important organs across the world. In 2022 he inaugurated several notable instruments, including St. Paul’s Cathedral in Birmingham, AL, and the famous Harrison & Harrison at York Minster (UK). Passionate about organ design and aesthetics, he also serves on reference groups for new instruments, including the new Rieger organ for the Concert Hall in Göteborg, Sweden.
Mr. Laube is currently Associate Professor of Organ at the Eastman School of Music. Laube previously taught at Eastman from 2013 to 2020, and then from 2020-2022 taught on the organ faculty at the Staatliche Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst in Stuttgart, Germany, where he succeeded his mentor, Ludger Lohmann. Since 2018 Laube additionally holds the post of the International Consultant in Organ Studies at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, UK. He is frequently asked to sit on the juries for important international organ competitions, including the 2021 Gottfried Silbermann International Competition in Freiberg (DE), and the Martini International Organ Competition in Groningen (NL) in 2022.
Mr. Laube is a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where he studied with Alan Morrison. The recipient of a William Fulbright fellowship, he continued his studies at the Conservatoire Rayonnement Régional in Toulouse with Michel Bouvard and Jan Willem Jansen. He received his Masters at the Musikhochschule in Stuttgart, Germany, where he studied with Ludger Lohmann, under the auspices of a DAAD Grant.
April: Jack Mitchener & Robert McDuffie
Sunday, April 6 at 5:30p
Jack Mitchener is Professor of Organ, University Organist, Chairman of the Keyboard Department and Director of the Townsend-McAfee Institute of Church Music in the Townsend School of Music at Mercer University. In addition, he is the Organist at Second-Ponce de Leon Baptist Church in Atlanta. He previously served as Organist and Artist-in-Residence at the Cathedral of St. Philip (Episcopal) in Atlanta, Artist-in-Residence at Peachtree United Methodist Church in Atlanta, Organist/Choirmaster at Christ Episcopal Church in Macon and Organist at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Winston-Salem, NC. He also is a former organ professor at the Oberlin College Conservatory of Music, the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Salem College, and the Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School.
Jack Mitchener has been praised for playing that is technically brilliant, yet expressive and poetic. According to The American Organist, “Mitchener brings music to life with his supple rhythmic control, clear phrasing, energy, and sensitivity.” In response to his recording on the historic Salem Tannenberg organ, Dulcet Tones, a reviewer for the International Record Review of London asserted: “Superb…an impressive and rather moving listening experience.” He was invited to participate as a performer for the 2016 Eastman Rochester Organ Initiative in Rochester, NY and garnered this review: “Mitchener’s masterful playing and sensitivity to both congregation and instrument was the high point of the conference,” The Diapason.
Emmy Award-winning violinist Robert McDuffie enjoys a dynamic and multifaceted career. While appearing as soloist with renowned orchestras on five continents, he has also shared the stage with eclectic musicians such as R.E.M. bassist Mike Mills and Rolling Stones pianist Chuck Leavell. Philip Glass dedicated his Violin Concerto No. 2, The American Four Seasons to Mr. McDuffie and he has performed it more than 100 times around the world. Mike Mills composed Concerto for Violin, Rock Band and Orchestra for him. This year, he received an Emmy award for A Night of Georgia Music with Mike Mills, Chuck Leavell, rock band and the McDuffie Center for Strings ensemble, which is currently airing on PBS stations across America. Mr. McDuffie is the founder of both the Rome Chamber Music Festival in Italy and the Robert McDuffie Center for Strings at Mercer University in his native city of Macon, Georgia.
He has been awarded several honors in Italy: the Premio Simpatia by the Mayor of Rome; the Medaglia Ufficiale della Camera dei Deputati and the Medaglia Speciale del Natale di Roma recognizing the Rome Chamber Music Festival’s 20th anniversary; and the Premio delle Muse in Florence. Mr. McDuffie served for ten years on the board of directors of the Harlem School of the Arts in New York City where he was chairman of the artistic and education committee. He plays a 1735 Guarneri del Gesù violin, known as the “Ladenburg.” This instrument is owned by a limited partnership formed by Mr. McDuffie.
Choral Evensong is a cherished service in the British Anglican tradition, characterized by its serene beauty and contemplative atmosphere. Dating back to the 16th century, it seamlessly blends scripture readings, prayers, and a rich tapestry of choral music. The service typically includes sung psalms, canticles (such as the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis), and an anthem, often showcasing the works of renowned Anglican composers. With its roots in monastic practice, Evensong offers a peaceful pause at the end of the day, inviting reflection and spiritual nourishment. It is a unique and treasured expression of Anglican liturgy, beloved for its harmonious balance of word and song. The Christ Church choir will be performing a service of Choral Evensong each quarter during our Bicentennial year:
Walnut Street Music Presents are occasional special concerts and performances by guest musicians hosted by Christ Church’s music program, Walnut Street Music.
WSM Presents: Apollo 5
Thursday, February 20 at 7:30p
Prepare to be captivated by the internationally acclaimed vocal ensemble, Apollo5, as they grace Macon with their breathtaking harmonies and diverse repertoire for the Bicentennial Celebration of the historic Christ Church (Episcopal), Mother Church of the Diocese of Atlanta.
Celebrating their 15th anniversary, this British quintet — featuring a soprano, mezzo-soprano, two tenors, and a bass — has garnered a reputation for their intimate performances and rich, dynamic sound. Apollo5 seamlessly blends Renaissance, classical, and contemporary choral works with folk, jazz, and pop influences, creating a truly unique and unforgettable musical experience.
Don’t miss this opportunity to witness the power of five voices in perfect harmony.
WSM Presents: Jazz on Walnut Street
Thursday, May 22 at 7:30p
Christ Church hosts an evening of Jazz by the Matt Miller Quintet.
Matt Miller is an Atlanta-based saxophonist, woodwind doubler, teacher, arranger, and composer. Matt has performed extensively as a leader and sideman throughout the United States with artists ranging from the Joe Gransden Big Band and jazz bassist William Parker to the Macon Symphony Orchestra, and the Temptations.
Matt is currently the music teacher at Tapestry Public Charter School, an innovative school in Atlanta focused on providing a rigorous, inclusive education to middle and high school students. At Tapestry, he has developed the music curriculum from the ground up, teaching band, chorus, music appreciation and developing a music theory and composition and music technology course for high school students. Matt was voted Teacher of the Year at Tapestry for the 2016-2017 school year.
In 2017 and 2018, Matt was a featured presenter at the Woodruff Arts Center Educator Conference. At Mercer University, he was invited to give numerous guest lectures on jazz improvisation and history as part of a broader music history course.
In addition to his experience at Tapestry Public Charter School, Matt has worked as an adjunct faculty member at Gordon State College in Barnesville, GA running the woodwind ensemble and teaching private lessons and a music appreciation course. Additionally, he has worked for five years as a faculty member at the Otis Redding Music camp where he coached middle and high school students in woodwind performance, songwriting, improvisation, and music business and was the saxophone instructor at the Georgia Music Educators Association Bootcamp at Mercer University from 2011-2014.
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