By the middle of the eighteenth century many of the prominent families in Cambridge “were, for the most part, members of the Church of England, and to provide for them a spiritual home, an Episcopal church was organized in 1759, and Christ Church was built. The plans were furnished by Peter Harrison of Newport, R.I., the architect of the Redwood Library of that city, and of King’s Chapel in Boston; and despite the material used, it was deemed 'a model of beauty and proportion.' It was opened for worship on October 15th, 1761, and for thirteen or fourteen years its straight-back, square pews were occupied by the loyal wealth and aristocracy of Cambridge. The rector expounded the doctrines of Church and State to his flock from a cumbrous wineglass pulpit, which then stood in front of the chancel and at the head of the middle aisle; and the wardens sat at the other end of the church, their rods of office warning unruly attendants to beware of constituted authority; while an excellent London organ, built by Snetzler, gave forth chant and anthem from the loft overhead…" - A History of Cambridge, Massachusetts (1630-1913) by Samuel Atkins Eliot, A.M., D.D. Together With Biographies of Cambridge People – The Cambridge Tribune, p. 72 – 1913
