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Grace Church
has continued to grow. Parishioners are involved in many local and
diocesan programs, including Daughters of the King, Episcopal Youth
Community, Education for Ministry, Habitat for Humanity, LINK (Living
Interfaith Network), United Thank Offering, the Labyrinth Project,
Cursillo, Camp Wakonda, and many others. In its liturgy, education,
and outreach programs, Grace attracts and appeals ot people across
denominational lines.
During the
300th anniversary year, the parish celebrated three "historic"
services, using editions of the Book of Common Prayer from 1869,
1818, and 1662 to commemorate the rich heritage enjoyed by the modern
congregation. On June 1, 1997, four of the five living former rectors
of Grace, Gordon Davis, John Alfriend, Philip Porcher, and Claude
Turner, returned for the last of the historic services. Alfriend,
rector from 1964 to 1971, looked out over the gathered people and
said, "I don't recognize very many faces anymore, but you are
all still the same congregation." This has held true over the
entire history of the parish.
Like the apostolic
succession, in every generation, there have been some who remembered
what had gone before. This has been both boon and burden —
the history is beguiling to the point that one can almost worship
the traditions and forget the call to minister to a changing world.
However, at Grace Church the building itself stands witness to the
living ministry, having been changed to adapt to the needs of those
who worship in this place. Each generation has found comfort and
nourishment within the rugged walls that has empowered them to go
out and answer Jesus' command: "Go into all the world and proclaim
the good news to the whole creation." (Mark
16:15)
TimeLine
of Significant Events
- 1989 - The
Reverend Carleton B. Bakkum and family are called to Grace
- 1995 - From
annual report: 385 communicants, average Sunday attendance of
235, total revenue of $217,438
- 1996 - Grace
Church breaks ground on a $750,000 expansion of the parish house
- 1997 - Grace
Church celebrates 300th anniversary of the present building
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