Saint Paul's Episcopal Church, Morganton NC
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| Saint Paul's Episcopal Church | |
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| Founded 1906, Morganton, NC |
Saint Paul's Episcopal Church is a century-old Episcopal parish near Morganton, North Carolina. It is in the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina.
The church is located on the eastern shore of Lake James. The parish is notable for its ministry to older adults in the Lake James community, especially through a program called "Happy Tuesday."
[edit] History
Saint Paul's was founded in 1906 by Grace Episcopal Church, Morganton NC, as a mission to the remote western portion of Burke County, NC. The new parish included a sanctuary, an orphanage and a school. Prior to the establishment of public education throughout the county, Saint Paul's school was the only grade-level institution in the area. The church's clergy were also instrumental in establishing The Patterson School for Boys (now known as The Patterson School) in nearby Lenoir, NC. The school and orphanage stayed open until 1926, when public education was established throughout the county, and as people moved to the area in the effort to build Lake James. From 1951 to 1993, Saint Paul's was yoked with its sister parish, Saint Mary's Episcopal Church, Morganton NC.
The original church structure was destroyed by fire on December 31, 1979. Though initial plans were not to rebuild the church, members displayed their devotion to the parish's survival to the diocese. This effort, along with a donation of land, allowed Saint Paul's to be rebuilt in its current location.
In 1993, Saint Paul's became an independent parish, and completed a fellowship hall in 1996. The hall was named "Fitzgerald Hall" in 2004 in honor of its former rector, the Rev. John W. Fitzgerald.
[edit] The Parish Today
Saint Paul's Episcopal Church is currently led by its Parish Priest, the Rev. Dr. Alfred T.K. Zadig, Sr. and its Associate Priest, the Rev. John W. Fitzgerald. The parish consists of about 100 members. Its liturgy contains some Anglo-Catholic features and the church stresses its ties to the Anglican Communion.
The Episcopal Church Women (ECW) of the parish participate in a variety of activities, including "Happy Tuesday." This is a ministry which invites all persons age 55 and older in the Lake James community, as well as their caregivers (if applicable), to Fitzgerald Hall. The participants are given a hot lunch, entertainment, and a spiritual devotion.
