Clergy
The Rev. Richard A. Frontjes, Ph.D.
Rector
Fr. Rich has served as the Priest for Christ Church Waukegan since November 2024. He is bilingual in English and Spanish and has worked in cross-cultural contexts for more than 30 years.
His academic study of cultural encounter led to a Ph.D. in 2014 and the publication of a book on Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz in 2019. His ministry is especially focused on pastoral preaching, Bible study, and the richness of cross-cultural community.
Staff
Lisa Graves
Music Director
Lisa has been the music director of Christ Church Waukegan since 2015. In this role she is both choir director and organist, accompanying the hymns during services. Lisa also organized holiday ensemble concerts and other community music performances.
“Seeking, Serving, Sharing Christ.”
This has been our motto for many years. We embrace the vision of being “a house of prayer for all nations.” This vision comes to life in the languages spoken by our parishioners, which include English, Spanish, Akan, German, Romanian, French, and more.
Christ Episcopal Church is grounded in intentional inclusion. We welcome people of every culture and background, and we affirm the dignity, gifts, and leadership of LGBTQIA+ persons in all parts of our common life.
Our church is intergenerational and values interactions among people from distinct stages of life.
About Our Building
The current church building was completed in 1888 and consecrated in 1889. It was designed by Chicago architects Willoughby Edbrooke and Franklin Burnham, whose major commissions include the Georgia State Capital, the Milwaukee Federal Building, and several buildings on the campus of the University of Notre Dame.
The style is Richardsonian Romanesque with Gothic features and is constructed of Carbondale brownstone.
The stained glass windows are of particular note. All of them were commissioned through the Chicago Art Glass Company. The window behind the organ was designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany. The artists responsible for the others are unknown, but it is clear that the work of several different studios is represented.
To the north of the church is the Chapel of Our Lady. Although the chapel was part of the original plan for the church, its interior was not completed until 1914, when the Barwell family undertook its renovation to honor the memory of Hattie Porter Barwell. Harry Mace of Evanston was the architect and Tobias Jensen completed the construction.
The chapel is considered to be one of the best examples of perpendicular Gothic style in the Chicago area.
The parish house to the west of the church was built in 1903 and designed by Waukegan architect Ira Wosfold. It is built of red and brown waterproof brick, sometimes known as ‘butter brick,’ with brownstone trim.
The building consists of three stories. The top floor includes a performance stage with a small balcony and was once the site of many parish and community theatrical productions.
The second floor contains the parish library, staff offices, the office of the Lake County Arts Magazine, Waukegan to College, and the Waukegan office for Lake County United.
The first floor is the site of our fully renovated fellowship hall and kitchen. In addition to being the site for various parish events, the hall is available for rental for private functions, and has been the site of the Sunday afternoon Community Meal for over twenty years.
The windows in the chapel are from the studios of Heaton, Butler, Baynes and Company, England. The triptych window depicting the resurrection, which is located behind the chapel altar, is an excellent example of their work.
The reredos and the altar were carved by John Lang, son of the famed wood carver from Oberammergau, Germany.
Host Your Next Party!
Our downstairs fellowship hall and kitchen are available to be rented for receptions, birthday and anniversary parties, baby showers, quinceañeras, and other occasions.
Phone the church office (847-662-7081) during our office hours (Monday through Friday 10:30 AM to 3:30 PM) for information. Atención en los dos idiomas.