James Bergold Christ

April 12, 1931 - March 31, 2022

James B. Christ, age 90, of Charlotte, NC, died on March 31, 2022. He was born April 12, 1931 in Glen Cove, NY to John E. Christ and Anna (Bergold) Christ. He was baptized on July 5, 1931 at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church, Hicksville, NY. He graduated as valedictorian from Hicksville High School in 1948 and received a BA from Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, in 1952, Master of Divinity Degree from Northwestern Theological Seminary (later became Luther Seminary), Minneapolis, MN in 1956, Master of Theology from Harvard Divinity School, Cambridge, MA in 1957. He was ordained by the Synod of NY and New England of the United Lutheran Church in 1957. In 1978, he received a Doctor of Ministry Degree from the Lutheran Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, PA. In 1956, he married Maxine Dahlin of Cokato, MN, and their children are Kathryn Haupt (Bruce) of Kiawah Island, SC and James A. Christ (Lynn) of Short Hills, NJ, and they have four grandchildren, Vivien Borghi, Elise McCallum, Madeline Christ, Margot Christ, and three great grandchildren, Ella Borghi, Evelyn Borghi, and Lane McCallum. As a full-time pastor, he served the following Lutheran churches in NY State: Trinity, Wyandanch, Triumphant Cross, Armonk, Atonement Church, Oneonta, Epiphany Church, Hempstead. During those years, he frequently served as Conference or District Dean and on the Executive Boards of Metropolitan NY and Upstate NY Synods, as well as on various synodical committees, especially with responsibilities for Social Ministry and was involved in many community activities and services. Since retirement from full-time ministry, he has served part-time as Assisting Pastor at St. Timothy, Tarpon Springs, FL, and Interim Pastor, Resurrection, Marietta, GA and has facilitated courses at All Saints Lutheran Church, Mt. Pleasant, SC. James and his wife, Maxine, are members of Living Saviour Lutheran Church, Charlotte, NC since moving to Charlotte in July 2020. He and Maxine had a summer home in Paradise Falls Lutheran Association, Cresco, PA for many years. He is survived by a sister, Mary C. Dunbar of Elkton, VA, and sisters-in-law, Joanne Dahlin of Northfield, MN, Kathryn Wright of Vadnais Hts, MN, and Jeanne Dahlin of Victoria, MN. A Memorial service will be held on May 14, 2022 at 11:00 am at Living Saviour Lutheran Church, 6817 Carmel Road, Charlotte, NC 28226. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bread for the World. Arrangements are in the care of Heritage Funeral Home, Ballantyne Chapel. Online condolences may be left at www.heritagecares.com