Christ Church Thrift Shop

Christ Church Thrift Shop is a thrift store in Cambridge, Massachusetts, located at 17 Farwell Place behind Christ Church. It operates three days a week, offering affordable clothing and household items to students and residents seeking bargains. The shop is entirely run and staffed by volunteers and serves as a resource for those in need, supporting church programs such as the Thursday Meals initiative by providing clothing and shoes. Donations are accepted during open hours only, with no outside drop-offs permitted. The shop does not accept large furniture, electronics, sports equipment, or children’s items. With a 3.90 rating based on customer reviews, it is a community-supported destination for secondhand goods.

The thrift shop is part of Christ Church Cambridge, an Episcopal congregation with a long history dating back to 1759. The church has served as a place of sanctuary, justice, and hospitality for generations, welcoming diverse individuals and families. The Thrift Shop reflects the church’s mission by turning donated goods into resources for the community, especially those facing hardship. It works closely with outreach programs like On The Rise, which supports homeless and formerly homeless women, and contributes to broader social justice efforts including climate care and education.

The shop is situated on Farwell Place, a short walk from several prominent landmarks. It is about 0.1 miles from Gutman Library, a key public library serving the Harvard Square area, and just over a tenth of a mile from Garden Street, a main thoroughfare. Nearby are the Harvard Graduate School of Education and the Irish Famine Memorial, both within a short distance, placing the shop in the heart of Cambridge’s academic and historic district.

Christ Church Thrift Shop stands as a consistent, volunteer-driven resource in a city known for its universities and social activism. Its presence reflects the church’s enduring commitment to service, affordability, and community care.