About Saint Augustine’s Episcopal Church
Saint Augustine’s Church is a spirit-filled and welcoming parish. Our worship includes a Rite I service using traditional language at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday mornings and our main Sunday service is a Rite II service with hymns and choir at 10:30 a.m. We also offer a Eucharist with anointing and healing prayers on Wednesday mornings at 10 a.m. in the chapel. We invite and welcome you to worship with us, and we would be happy to answer any questions you may have about our services.
We offer Bible study and Christian education programs for all ages and opportunities for ministry and service. We also have fun together and enjoy social occasions, such as our foyer dinner groups.
We are large enough to support active programs for all interests but also small enough to welcome you personally and get to know you.
History of Saint Augustine’s Church
Saint Augustine’s Episcopal Church was organized as a mission in 1960. The first meeting place of the new congregation was in the community building in Daniel Village shopping center. The Rev. Herman Huff served as first vicar of the congregation.
Land for the construction of the church building was given by the Nixon family, and the site selected was located at 3321 Wheeler Road. Mr. Gwinn Nixon and Mr. Scott Nixon were members of the mission council. Mr. Lowery Stulb was commissioned to proceed with architectural drawings for the new church. Plans for the entire church plant were completed before the first phase of the building program began.
The congregation of Saint Augustine’s Church continued to grow rapidly and soon moved to the chapel in the Oliver General Hospital on Lake Forest Drive (the old Veteran’s Administration Hospital) as plans continued to develop for the new building. The first phase of the construction began in 1962 when a multi-purpose building (Parish Hall and Nave) was constructed on the property. The Rev. Robert Battin was appointed vicar and it was during his time that the mission was granted parish status by the convention of the Diocese of Georgia. The magnificent bell tower was constructed due to the generosity of Mrs. Gwinn Nixon, in loving memory of Gwinn Henry Nixon. In 1967, the second phase of the church was constructed and dedicated to the Glory of God and named Saint David’s Hall. By now the church buildings included the parish hall, kitchen, offices, and additional Christian education space.
The third priest called to Saint Augustine’s Church was the Rev. Alfred Mead who served as rector until 1977. During his ministry the third phase of the building was constructed. This phase consisted of the new church building (Nave), additional education space, offices, and sacristy.
The fourth priest and third rector of the parish was the Very Rev. Neal Phelps, called in 1977. The completion of the building program with the covered walk-way between the church and the parish hall was begun and completed and the debt on the buildings was retired in 1990. The new addition consisted of the new nursery, youth area. New kitchen and bathroom facilities were completed in 1994.
In January 2005, Saint Augustine’s Church welcomed the Rev. Harriette Simmons as the fourth rector of the parish. She resigned in 2008 to respond to a call in Macon GA. The Rev Peter Courtney from Athens, GA is currently serving as interim supply priest until our new rector is called and installed. You may contact Rev Courtney at EM: pc@petercourtney.net or PH: 706-546-5281.