Grace Episcopal Church
 

photos of 1874 and 1960 buildingsHistory

Grace Episcopal Church was organized early in January 1836 in the tiny one-room Talley School on Naaman's Road, near Shipley Road. The church was named for Grace Church in Philadelphia and was consecrated on June 11, 1836.

By 1872 the congregation had outgrown the School and 10 acres of land were purchased on Concord Pike for $2,000. A stone building was erected for $8,000 in 1874 (present day chapel of Grace). It is surrounded by a lovely cemetery with tombstones that date from the late 19th century.

A parish house was added in 1928, the rectory in 1929. That rectory now houses the church offices. In 1952 a church school addition was annexed to the parish house.

In 1960, during the tenure of the Rev. John M. Taylor, Jr., the present church was built and the original church found use as a chapel. The dedication ceremony took place on March 5, 1961.

Since then the congregation has welcomed several succeeding pastors and many new programs to its facilities as our neighborhood has grown from rural to busy suburban. One major change to our lovely stone and beam main sanctuary is the addition of a new stained glass window over the entrance, seen here to the right. Visit us on a sunny day and watch the color light dance over the church's interior.