Welcome to St. Mary’s.

Whether you are new to the area and looking for a new church home or simply a place of peace to pray and worship God on Sunday mornings, please know that you are welcome here. No matter who you are or where you on your journey with Christ, all are welcome in the Episcopal Church and at St. Mary’s.

Open Doors. Open Minds. Open Hearts.

A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRIEST, FATHER ERIC

Greetings! Thank you for taking the time to visit our webpage. As you get to know us better, I hope you will see that St. Mary’s is an active and vibrant church, committed to spreading the Good News of God in Christ through our worship, outreach ministries, programs for children and youth, and so much more.

I hope you will also see that our church is a place where all are welcome. It’s not just something we say to make ourselves feel better. It’s something we try our best to practice every day because we believe that Jesus calls us to share the love of God with all people, no exceptions.

You don’t have to look a certain way or fit in with a certain group of people. You don’t have to conform to a strict set of doctrines or beliefs. All you have to do is come to the Table. It is made ready for all who love God and who want to love God more.

Of course, the best way to get to know us is by coming for a visit. The information on this page is especially for visitors and newcomers and will help you plan your first visit to St. Mary’s. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out. We hope to meet you in person soon!

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is your church located?

St. Mary’s Episcopal Church is located at 1307 East Three Notch Street in beautiful, downtown Andalusia. CLICK HERE to find our location and get directions on Google Maps.

Where should I park?

When you arrive, parking will be available in our main parking lot. There are four spaces reserved for handicapped parking located near the front of the church building (the building with the tall steeple and red doors).

Who will greet me when I arrive?

When you walk through the front doors of church, you will be in the Narthex (a fancy name for entryway). In the Narthex, you will be greeted by ushers who will provide you with any information you may need. They will also provide you with a service bulletin and help you find a place to sit during the service if you need it. The service bulletin will include an order of worship and will guide you during the service to certain pages in the Prayer Book and hymnals. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask an usher or another member of the parish, and they will be happy to assist you.

Is nursery care available?

Yes! Nursery care for young children (typically ages four and under) is available in our nursery, which is located next to the Parish Hall. For the safety of our children, there are always at least two nursery workers present in the nursery. Typically, young children join their parents in church during the ministration of Holy Communion.

May I receive Communion if I’m not an Episcopalian?

At St. Mary’s, all who love God and who want to love God more are welcome and encouraged to come forward to receive Holy Communion, including those who are baptized in other denominations. However, if you would rather not receive Communion, you are welcome to come forward to receive a blessing from the priest. You can indicate your desire for a blessing by crossing your arms in front of your chest.

What happens after worship?

After the service has ended, we gather in the Parish Hall for a time of fellowship, and we invite everyone to stay and join us. Typically, coffee, tea, and light refreshments are served. On the second Sunday of each month, we have our “Second Sunday Potluck” where we invite members of the parish to bring dishes and desserts to share. On occasion, we also have some kind of educational offering, such as “Episcopal 101” for newcomers and Confirmation Class for those who are preparing for confirmation and reception in the Episcopal Church.

There are several ways to get plugged in and stay connected.

  • Before you leave church, be sure to stop by our Visitor's Table in the Narthex and fill out a Visitor's Card so we can add you to our email list and keep you up to date about all of the exciting things going on at St. Mary's. Once you've filled out the card, you can give it to our priest, Father Eric, or you can put it in the offering plate during worship.

  • St. Mary's publishes a weekly newsletter, which is delivered by email every Wednesday morning. In the newsletter, you will find announcements, updates, and important information about upcoming events at church. To subscribe to our weekly newsletter, CLICK HERE.

  • St. Mary's has an active presence on Facebook and Instagram, where we post several times per week on our public pages. In addition, our Sunday morning service is live-streamed on our Facebook page. To find our social media pages, use the links at the bottom of our webpage.

  • There are many ways to contact us! At the bottom of our webpage, you will find our physical address, telephone number, and office email address. Additionally, you may contact us by using the ONLINE FORM on our website.

  • Our priest, Father Eric, would love to meet with you one-on-one to discuss how you can get involved at St. Mary's. If you would like to arrange a meeting, please call the Parish Office or email Father Eric directly at rector@stmarysandalusia.org.