[Patrick] Gray’s arrival at the end of October coincided with a painful split in the church. More than half the congregation broke away to form Christ the Redeemer Anglican Church, in the former St. Alphonsus Catholic church in Beverly.<\/p>\n
Its founders left Christ Church over what they called the “moral drift” of the Episcopal Church, where liberals and conservatives have been deeply divided over issues such as the consecration of an openly gay bishop. Some conservatives opted to leave.<\/p>\n
Gray said he knew what he was getting into when he took the job, and less than three months after the breakup, he thinks most of his flock is adjusting to the new reality.<\/p>\n
“There’s always a lament, but I think people are happy here now,” he said.<\/p>\n
While attendance at the church’s three Sunday services used to number about 500, now about 200 of the faithful show up. Gray conceded that’s a hit spiritually and financially.<\/p>\n