St. Paul's by the Sea Episcopal Church

St. Pauls by the Sea Is...


St. Paul's by the Sea Episcopal Church (SPBTS) is the first church to be established on Pablo Beach now Jacksonville Beach. The original church built in 1887.


The current church was built in 1966 and dedicated in April 1967. Paul Ritch was rector at the time. The architect was Blake Ellis of Valdosta, GA who received an award from the Guild for Religious Architect for his design.


Ellis intended the outside of the church to be sacramental symbolizing the beach environment. When approaching the church, the lines of the building may be remindful of the marine environment suggesting an ocean wave, a ship sail, a whale, or a giant fish. Refusing to get specific about what particular symbol it represented. He wanted it to be left open to the imagination of the individual.


The church was built of coquina shell and not just a façade. It is solid coquina that was quarried off the beach of St. Augustine. The 80-foot cross on the peak of the building can be seen for miles out at sea.


The Peace Pole on the lawn was given to the church by a member of a Confirmation Class during the time of Fr. John Moulton. It shows the word “PEACE” in various languages.

 

The Memorial Garden was given in memory of Jane Helton by her husband, Lee Helton. There is a memorial plaque on which the names of deceased Parishioners remains interred in the Memorial Garden with the dates of birth and death. 

First Time Here?
  • How We Worship

    Upon entering our Parish, you will be greeted by an usher, a bulletin, and an invitation to sign our guest book. You may take a seat anywhere you like. We use two main books at our main services – the red Book of Common Prayer and the Hymnal 1982, which is either blue or red. The scripture readings are found in your bulletin. 


    All baptized people are invited to receive communion. You may stand or kneel during those parts of the service that specify standing or kneeling. If you do not wish to receive the bread or wine, but still want a blessing, just cross your arms over your chest at the altar rail to receive a blessing.


    After the service, join us for coffee Hour to better learn who we are as a Parish

  • Why St Pauls by the Sea

    If you ask our parishioners, they will tell you that St. Paul's by the Sea is special for one main reason – its people. The SPBTS experience embodies the scripture "where two or three are gathered in His name, there I am in the midst of them." We are a faithful community who see Christ in each other and in the world around us. Through worship, work, and play, we truly enjoy each other's company and give and receive unconditional support.

  • Worship in the Episcopal Church

    We are a liturgical church. During worship, people participate through their verbal responses, readings from Holy Scripture, singing of hymns, offering prayers, and by receiving Holy Communion. Worship is corporate in nature because the congregation shares in all aspects of the liturgy. The silence at various intervals provides time for the individual to think and reflect on his or her personal experience with God.


    Practices vary, even among individual Episcopalians, as to when it is appropriate to sit, to stand, or to kneel. Watch the people sitting around you for clues and do whatever feels comfortable. The general rule is to stand to sing. Hymns are found in the blue or red 1982 Hymnal in the pews, and other service music is printed in the worship bulletin. 


    We stand to say our affirmation of faith, the Nicene Creed, and for the reading of the Gospel. Psalms are sung or said, while sitting or standing. We sit during readings from the Old Testament or New Testament, the sermon, and the choir anthems.  We stand or kneel for prayer. Some Episcopalians make the sign of the cross or bow at particular times and kneel for prayer upon entering the nave. Silence is usually kept before services.

  • Book of Common Prayer

    Words to our liturgy are found in The Book of Common Prayer (BCP). You will find both prayers for daily use and prayers for the celebration of the Holy Eucharist.


    The Book of Common Prayer has evolved over the years. The first Prayer Book is attributed to Thomas Cranmer, who, in 1549, drew on traditional resources to create services that were prayed in English for the first time. This collection of both prayers and responses provides the basic structure for the current Prayer Book being used in the Episcopal Church. The version we use today was last revised in 1979.

Faith


Faith is the cornerstone of our church. It is part of every activity that we do, every meeting that we hold. We believe in our Lord, and that our actions are a reflection of his goodness. 

Scripture


We look to the Lord for guidance in our lives. In Scripture, we find all that we need to guide us in the right path. Reading and understand Scripture helps us all live meaningful lives. 

Community


Join us. We welcome each and every one of you to encounter the Lord's unconditional love with us. Inside each of us is a purpose and meaning to be fulfilled by God. 

Explore SPBTS


The SPBTS experience embodies the scripture "where two or three are gathered in His name, there I am in the midst of them." We are a faithful community who see Christ in each other and in the world around us. Through worship, work, and play, we truly enjoy each other's company and give and receive unconditional support.

OUR PARISH

Our Clergy & Staff


St. Paul's by the Sea Vestry

The vestry is the legal representative of the parish with regard to all matters pertaining to its corporate property. Vestry members are usually elected at the annual parish meeting. The presiding officer of the vestry is the rector. The basic responsibilities of the vestry are to help define and articulate the mission of the congregation; to support the church’s mission by word and deed, to select the rector, to ensure effective organization and planning, and to manage resources and finances.


Glenn Milton

Sr. Warden


Lou Ronca

Jr. Warden/Facilities


David Armitage                

Foundation

 

Shelley Bassham,

Christian Formation


Clarissa Chandler

Stewardship


Sandy Coston

Fellowship

 

Katie Davidson

Youth


Ann Duff

Stewardship/Long Term Planning


Tom Farmer

Treasurer/Facilities


Kevin Gay

Evangelism

 

Susan Plath

Outreach


Anne Simpson

Communications

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