Worship Schedule

Sunday 8:15 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite I
nave & online: Zoom
Sunday 10:45 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite II
nave & online: Facebook/website
Tuesday 8:00 p.m. Compline
online: Zoom
Wednesday 12:00 p.m. Eucharist
chapel

Sunday mornings at Grace

Holy Week & Easter

Find Us

The Grace Church nave is located at the corner of Washington Street and Boulevard in Gainesville, Georgia.

The parish office, open Monday through Thursday from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, is located at 422 Brenau Avenue. Come to the red door that faces Brenau Avenue and ring the bell for access.

Mailing Address: 422 Brenau Avenue, Gainesville, GA 30501
Phone: 770-536-0126

Driving Directions & Parking

Email Clergy & Staff

About Us

In 1828, the first few members of Grace Episcopal Church began to meet in homes. Since that time, the parish has grown to be a thriving community of belonging in this area. We take seriously our mission that we are “empowered by the Holy Spirit to support each other through prayer, formation, worship, and service.”

Grace Church

Grace Episcopal Church is a parish in the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta, an area extending from Columbus to Macon, just north of Augusta, and north to the North Carolina and Tennessee borders. The Diocese of Atlanta is a diverse community of parishes and worshiping communities, and Grace is grateful to be a vital spiritual community alongside our many brothers and sisters.

The Episcopal Church finds its roots in the post-revolutionary period, having continued the Anglican Tradition from the Church of England after the war. We are a part of the broader Anglican Communion, a community of 39 autonomous provinces throughout the world with historic links to the Church of England. Each province adapts the practice of Common Prayer, guidance from the Holy Scriptures, and governance with bishops, priests, deacons, and laity in their different contexts.

The Episcopal Church is, in many ways, a community “in the middle.” Our identity is both Catholic and protestant, with a deep appreciation of liturgy and the sacraments; the importance of bishops, priests, and deacons; and a heightened understanding of the importance of the Holy Bible in the life. We “seek and serve Christ in all persons,” and we “honor the dignity of every human being,” as our Baptismal Covenant reminds us (BCP, 304).

The Rev. Dr. Stuart Higginbotham
Rector

Our Mission

Grace Episcopal Church is a congregation in communion with all that is in God, seen and unseen. We are led by the example of Jesus Christ and are empowered by the Holy Spirit to support each other through prayer, formation, worship, and service.

Our Vision

We will welcome all with kindness, acceptance, and love, with God’s help. We are Grace, grounded in faith and relentless in compassion.

Our History

1828

William Henry Hosch, author of A History of Hall County, begins his history of Grace Episcopal Church by noting an Episcopalian named Warren Jourdain came to Gainesvile in the 1820s and purchased land on which the first church for Episcopalians would eventually be built. In 1828, the first few members of Grace Episcopal Church began to meet in private homes.

1859

1860

1889

Bishop Beckwith consecrated the new church with the name of Grace Church, confirmed three, and made an address.

1894

According to a report of the Archdeacon of Atlanta, W. M. Walton, a first class pipe-organ was added, and the chancel front was scheduled to shortly be recast.

@1897-1910

1910

The Rev. Edgar Sherrod, Vicar arrives in Gainesville in January and begins work at Grace. He formally takes charge of the parish on April 1, 1910.

1911

The church bought the home-place of Mr. W.A. Roper on east Washington Street near Boulevard. The people of the city congratulated the membership on having purchased a site to build a new house of worship which was deemed to be quite an addition to the city.

1913

1921

Under the leadership of the Rev. Cobey a covered walk along the front, a vesitbule, and Vestry room were added.

1930

1934

1936

1937

1952

1954

1961

1966-1987

1968

The Schantz Pipe Organ was completed and remained until the early 1990s when the church was expanded. The organ was incorporated into a new organ built for Covenant Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, AL in 1995.

Daughters of the King is established.

1977

1981

Grace Church parishioners living in Dahlonega organized Grace Chapel in Lumpkin County. The first service was held Nov. 8 in the chapel at Lumpkin County Hospital. In 1988, Grace Chapel officially became St. Elizabeth's Parish.

1982

1987

1988-2001

1992

1993

1993

1998

The Right Rev. Frank K. Allen, Bishop of Atlanta dedicates and consecrates St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church in Oakwood, a mission of Grace Church. Mike Freeman, former Associate Rector at Grace, is the new Vicar. St. Gabriel’s began as a mission of Grace Church holding the first service on December 15, 1997.

2002-2012

2002

2003

2005

2007

2012

2014

2015

2017

2019

2020

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