History of
Christ's Chapel Anglican Church
Our roots and story.
The Rev. Henry Birkinbine
Assisting Minister (Retired)
Our Story
Christ's Chapel Anglican Church was planted in 2002 by the Rev. Dr. Bertram Card, and began in the living room of its future Vicar, the Rev. Randall Pierpoint. Dr. Card became ill very soon after the first services were held and was not able to continue. Randall Pierpoint was appointed Minister-in-Charge by Bishop Grote and faithfully served as Vicar for sixteen years. In those early years the church struggled to find a permanent location, even meeting for a time in the band room of California Baptist University.
In November of 2008 the congregation moved to a rented storefront on Durahart Street in Riverside, remaining there until 2016 when, for financial reasons, it was decided to rent worship space from Hope Lutheran Church on the corner of Arlington and Anna. The symbiotic relationship that developed between the two congregations proved a great blessing for Christ's Chapel, and during those years the congregation began to grow as new families with children joined the fellowship. Randall Pierpoint and Deaconess Karen retired in 2017 after his sixteen years of devoted service.
When the Covid pandemic struck in 2020, the Lutheran congregation suspended worship and eventually closed permanently, selling the property to the Riverside Unified School District. Christ's Chapel was once again in need of a home. Through the efforts of one of its newer members, Calvary Presbyterian Church graciously opened her doors, providing the congregation a place to worship and gather.
During the first twenty-two years of Christ's Chapel's history, its ministers served without compensation, enabling the congregation to save sufficient funds to call her first full-time minister. In 2023, the Rev. Dr. Matthew Visk was called to serve Christ's Chapel in that capacity. In November 2024 he was appointed Interim Rector, and in December 2024 the Vestry called him to serve as the full-time Rector. Dr. Visk has been serving Christ's Chapel ever since.
By God's gracious providence, what began in a living room with a handful of faithful souls has grown steadily into a thriving parish community. Christ's Chapel now welcomes an average of ninety to one hundred worshippers each Sunday morning — a testament not to any human effort alone, but to the faithfulness of the God who builds His Church.
