Welcome — We've Been Expecting You
Whether you're new to the area, searching for a church home, or simply curious about what happens inside a little Episcopal chapel on the Carolina coast, we want you to know: you are not a stranger here. You are a guest, and guests are our favorite people AND all are always welcomed at the Lord's Table for our Eucharist Services.
St. Francis by the Sea is a small, close-knit Episcopal congregation nestled in Salter Path, North Carolina — a barrier island community where the pace is unhurried, and the welcome is genuine. We gather each Sunday around the table of the Lord, bringing with us our questions, our joys, our sea-salt-weathered lives, and an honest desire to seek God together.
Whatever brought you to this page, we're glad you're here. Remember, we almost always have Coffee Hour following each 10 am Sunday Service, with lots of items prepared by our congregation to enjoy and to continue the fellowship started earlier, prior to and following the services.
Sunday Morning Worship
Our principal Sunday gathering is the Holy Eucharist at 10:00 AM, held in person at the church and livestreamed on YouTube for those joining from home (the stream opens at 9:55 AM). Plan to arrive a few minutes early — a greeter will be happy to hand you a bulletin and point you to a pew.
If you are bringing children, Sunday School for ages 6–12 begins at 9:45 AM, and our Nursery is open throughout the service for our smallest guests. You won't need to worry about keeping small ones perfectly quiet — we love the sound of children in church, and we have an art table at the rear of the congregation to enjoy some coloring.
After the service, we hope you'll linger for Coffee Hour. It's an easy, informal time to meet people, ask questions, and discover that we're a community that genuinely enjoys one another's company.
Service Schedule
- Sunday Eucharist
10:00 AM · In-Person & Livestreaming on YouTube - Sunday School (Ages 6–12)
9:45 AM · Sunday mornings - Nursery
Available during Sunday services - Celtic Eucharist
Wednesdays at Noon · St. Clare Chapel - Coffee Hour
Following Sunday worship
What Will the Service Be Like?
Episcopal worship is liturgical — that means it follows a beautiful, time-honored order of prayer, scripture, and sacrament drawn from the Book of Common Prayer. If you're new to it, don't worry for a moment. Your bulletin will guide you through every step, and the people around you are always happy to share a book or offer a quiet word of direction.
You can expect singing, scripture readings, a sermon, and Holy Communion. The atmosphere is reverent but never stiff — there is warmth in seated configuration in the round, genuine friendliness in the aisles, and the handshake, hug, wave, or smile passed between neighbors during the Peace. We are a congregation that takes our faith seriously without taking ourselves too seriously.
A note on Communion: All are welcome at the Lord's Table. You do not need to be Episcopalian, confirmed, or a member to receive. If you'd prefer a blessing rather than Communion, simply come forward and cross your arms over your chest — the clergy will understand.
A Quiet Midweek Moment
If Sunday mornings feel like a big first step, we also gather every Wednesday at Noon for the Celtic Eucharist in our intimate St. Clare Chapel. This is a simple, informal liturgy held in a circle around a small altar — unhurried, contemplative, and deeply peaceful. It's a lovely way to experience Episcopal worship in a quieter setting before the fuller Sunday gathering.
Finding Us & Parking
We are located at:
St. Francis by the Sea920 Salter Path Road
Salter Path, North Carolina 28512
Salter Path Road (NC Highway 58) runs along Bogue Banks, the barrier island between Morehead City and Emerald Isle. Parking is available on site. If you have any trouble locating us, please don't hesitate to reach out — we'll get you here.
When You Walk Through the Door
A greeter will welcome you at the entrance and offer you a bulletin. Feel free to sit wherever you're comfortable. If you have questions, let anyone know — our congregation is warm and approachable, and no question is too small.
We have an elevator to get you up to the 2nd floor if you need it, and enter through our doors on the first floor. A stairwell is inside too, or you may enter through the steps outside.
There's no dress code. Come as you are. Coastal casual is perfectly at home here, and what matters far more than what you're wearing is that you showed up.
After the service, please accept a cup of coffee and stay a little while. Some of the best conversations happen in those unhurried moments after worship.
"Whoever you are, wherever you've been, and whatever has carried you to our door — there is a place for you here. At St. Francis by the Sea, we don't ask you to have everything figured out before you belong. We simply invite you to come, to listen, to pray alongside us, and to see what you find. The coast has a way of quieting the noise of life, and so does this little church. We hope you'll give us the chance to welcome you in person."
The Rev. Mary Kay Brown, Rector, St. Francis by the Sea
Ready to Join Us?
We'd love to see you on Sunday morning. If you have questions before you visit, or simply want to say hello, please reach out — we're here and we're listening.
Get in Touch Explore Our Worship
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What to Expect When You Arrive
Episcopal worship is liturgical — meaning we follow a prayerful, time-honored order of service — but don't let that word intimidate you. Everything you need will be provided: a bulletin that walks you through the service, and a congregation that has no interest in making you feel lost.
A Warm Greeting
You'll be greeted at the door before the service. Introduce yourself, or simply slip in quietly — both are perfectly fine.
Music & Prayer
Our Music Director Craig Everett leads congregational singing that is joyful and accessible. Hymns, prayers, and scripture weave together each week.
Holy Communion
All baptized Christians are welcome at the Lord's Table. If you are not yet baptized, you are warmly invited to come forward for a blessing.
There is no pressure to participate in anything that feels unfamiliar. Many people find that after a few Sundays, the rhythm of the liturgy begins to feel like home — ancient words that somehow speak directly to the present moment.
Just to the east of our Parish Building is our beautiful Labyrinth. Come and visit, enjoy the quietude, take a few moments to relax to the sounds of a babbling water fountain, and listen to nature thanking you for visiting.
"Whether you come seeking answers, community, or simply a quiet hour by the sea, there is a place for you here. I hope to shake your hand over a cup of coffee very soon."
The Rev. Mary Kay Brown, Rector, St. Francis by the Sea
Ready to Join Us?
We would love to welcome you in person this Sunday at 10:00 AM — or any Wednesday at noon for a quiet midweek moment. Have a question before you come? We're happy to hear from you.
Contact Us Explore Our WorshipSt. Francis by the Sea • 920 Salter Path Road, Salter Path, NC 28512 • Part of the Episcopal Diocese of East Carolina
