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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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