About Us
St. Francis by the Sea is a parish of the Diocese of East Carolina. Our mission is to be instruments of God’s peace by:
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Fostering a church family for spiritual growth and unity with God in Christ, for our growing community and visitors.
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Loving one another as Jesus loves us through our worship, prayer, Christian education, stewardship, and outreach.
We are an active, committed parish of about 100 parishioners, which grows to over 150 in the summer. The majority of our parishioners are “active retirees.” With our unique beach location, many of our faithful parishioners are “cottagers” whose permanent residence is elsewhere, but who have adopted St. Francis as their second home church.
Our Sunday Service starts at 10:00 am. Childcare is available. The children join their families to participate in Communion. There is also a Celtic Eucharist service on Wednesdays at noon.
The attire is casual, the fellowship warm and friendly, and the worship service and space are beautiful.
History
1992
When three families met in the Sheltons’ home on April 6, 1992 they could not foresee how large their idea would become–and how soon. The original thinking of the Gettys, Kemps, and Sheltons was that there could be an Episcopal presence on Bogue Banks because of the growing permanent population and summer visitors. Our first services were held in homes. Then, we moved into the Chapel at Trinity Center for a service on August 23, 1992. There were 10 adults and eight children. By December, we had outgrown that space and moved into the Fellowship Hall of the Salter Path Methodist Church.
The Rev. Bob Holt conducted services every other Sunday. The Rev. Matt Stockard of St. Paul’s in Beaufort agreed to be the “emergency priest” for our fledgling church.
1993-1994
In July of 1993 the Rev. Frank Fagan became our part-time priest. On February 12, 1994, a unanimous vote at the 111th Convention of the Diocese of East Carolina admitted St. Francis by the Sea to parish status. A search for land began.
1996
In 1996 we employed the Rev. Mike Cogsdale as our first full-time priest for about a year. After his resignation, the ambo was occupied by a series of supply priests.
The following year, land was found. The diocese and an anonymous donor helped the parish buy land generously made available by Charles and Jere Delu in their Kiawa development. The Rev. Dr. Renfro Sproul was our supply priest for a few Sundays and then stayed with us as our part-time rector from February of 1998 through August of 2003.
1999
The vestry approved the building committee’s recommendation to retain Heimsath Architects to design the church building. A design workshop was held and the architect submitted preliminary sketches. When it became evident that the lot was too small, the Delus and Ken and Sally Benson supplied the additional land for the site.
Ward, Dreshman and Reinhardt, Inc., was retained as fundraiser counsel. The Life Raft 2000 Capital Campaign Committee undertook the fundraising campaign.
2000
In the meantime, the Methodist church, which had sheltered us so long, needed their Fellowship Hall, so the church was again on the move. North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores was home for six weeks until a storefront at Atlantic Station could be made ready for the service of Compline on Wednesday, March 15, 2000.
The construction firm of Bailey and Jones (B.J. and Associates, Inc.) was engaged. Ground was broken on Sunday, October 15, 2000, complete with the Rev. Canon Phil Craig, a Coast Guard color guard, and the “beating of the bounds” (boundaries). Construction began with Sally Benson as our contractor's representative.
2002
On July 7, 2002, an overflow crowd attended the first service in our new building. Consecration was held on October 12, 2002, with the Rt. Rev. Clifton Daniel, 3rd, Bishop of the Diocese of East Carolina, as celebrant, with more than 300 attending.
2004
With Fr. Renfro’s retirement in 2003, a search for a full-time rector began. The Rev. Jack Wilson was called and served from November 1, 2004 to August 31, 2006.
2006
After a year with three wonderful supply priests, without whom we couldn't have managed, we welcomed the Rev. Everett Thomas as our long term supply priest.
Ministries
There are many ways to get involved at the church. Here are some examples:
Acolytes lead processions; assist in setting the Altar for Eucharist; assist at Baptisms.
Altar Guild cares for vestments and vessels for worship; sets up for all worship services.
Intercessors lead congregation in Prayers of the People and other prayers.
Lay Eucharistic Ministers assist in administering Holy Communion with the Chalice.
Lay Eucharistic Visitors take Communion from Sunday worship to homebound members, in nursing homes, or in the hospital.
Lectors read lessons from the Old and New Testaments at services.
Oblation Bearers bring the Peoples’ offerings of bread and wine to the altar.
Psalm Leaders lead the congregation in recitation of the Psalms.
The CHOIR sings in worship on Sundays at 10:00 am. Please see our Music and Liturgy page for more information.
