Christie was born in Highgate, Vermont and later moved with his family to Wisconsin and, after the end of the Civil War, to Austin, Minnesota.

[4] On March 26, 1898, Christie was appointed Bishop of Vancouver Island in British Columbia by Pope Leo XIII.

The following year he persuaded the Congregation of Holy Cross to assume control, telling them "Take over Columbia and make it the Notre Dame of the Pacific Northwest!

The Diocese of Baker City was created in 1903, assuming responsibility for all of the state east of the Cascades.

[4] After a steady decline in health, Bishop Christie died, at age 76, and was buried at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Portland.