History of Christ Church

Christ Church Parish was organized on August 28, 1869, in the neighboring Town of Islip. A church building was erected on a site in West Islip and opened for services on Easter Day, April 9, 1871. It was consecrated on July 3, 1871, by Bishop Littlejohn. Services were also conducted here in nearby Babylon Village, beginning in 1885. A chapel was built in 1889 on George Street and then, in 1912, was moved to a new site on North Carll Avenue, across from the present day St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church and the Babylon Junior/Senior High School.

In 1930, the Vestry took title to a plot of land on the corner of South Carll Avenue and Prospect Street. The North Carll site was sold, and the intent was to move the chapel to the new site. However, the proposal was met by much opposition from neighbors concerned about the destruction of shade trees along the route. Instead, a new chapel was constructed at the vacant location. From that point on, the Babylon property became the parish church and was known as Christ Church.

During 1954 and 1955, a building program saw the completion of the additions to the building, providing an enlarged nave, a sacristy, a chapel, offices, a dining hall and a kitchen. In addition, there is a library/conference room and six other rooms/classrooms. The Church has a seating capacity of 240 and the Chapel can seat 36. The Babylon church was consecrated in September, 1960, by Bishop Jonathan Sherman.

A Millennium Campaign was held, and improvements at that time included refurbishing the floors, re-carpeting the church, and updating the classrooms. In 2004/2005, an Elevator was installed for those in need of such assistance. In October 2005, two new bathrooms were installed.