Get to Know: Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Webster Groves
Emmanuel Episcopal Church has a long history in Webster Groves. Prominent businessman Richard Lockwood and his wife Angelica purchased land for the church around 1850. Financial troubles and the Civil War kept the couple from their dream of building an Episcopal church on their property for several years. The cornerstone was finally laid in 1856, and Bishop Cicero Stephens Hawks consecrated Emmanuel Episcopal Church in 1867.
Today that historic church sits directly between Webster University and Eden Theological Seminary. Although some may mistake the church as part of one of those schools, Emmanuel is a thriving community of faith of its own that serves God through ministries within the church and the greater community.
Emmanuel's congregation has maintained a food center since 1973. The food center receives referrals from other churches, from Webster-Rock Hill Ministries, Webster University and others in our community. The center is open to walk-ins Monday through Friday. Donations come from parish members, who fill up wagons with non-perishable items each Sunday, and community members, like students at The College School, a private Pre-K through 8th grade school, which donates thousands of cans of food each year. In addition to the food center, Emmanuel donates non-perishable food and funds for food to various organizations such as Webster-Rock Hill Ministries, Isaiah 58 Ministries, COVID testing sites, and a children's camp in North St. Louis City.
A group of Emmanuel volunteers oversees the food ministry and other outreach efforts throughout the parish. The group, called Faith in Action, meets every other month to gather ideas and decide what outreach projects and ministries the parish will focus on. Along with the food ministry, Faith in Action helps direct other ministries, like the caring committee, social justice efforts, and adult mission trips.
Emmanuel has hosted a preschool on its grounds since 1949. Emmanuel Preschool has provided children ages 3, 4, and 5, with a caring and creative early childhood education. Emmanuel's Parents Day Out ministry serves young families with children ages 2 and 3 with a safe and loving environment for playing and learning.
Christian formation plays an important role at Emmanuel, with Faith Quest classes available for young children, youth, and adults. Each age group has three components: faith, fellowship, and mission. Because of the pandemic, many classes have moved outdoors (when weather allows), and mission trips stay within our area to clean up local cemeteries, food pantries, or warehouses for service agencies.
"We have struggled to be known in the community," said Communications and Invitations Director Mimi Shipp, "but we try to be good neighbors." Mimi says Emmanuel allows schools and other local groups to use their big parking lot for craft fairs and other special events. They're also developing relationships with other churches in Webster Groves to create synergy on projects that are important to everyone.
Vital Stats:
Church name: Emmanuel Episcopal Church
Address: 9 S. Bompart
City: Webster Groves
Phone: 314-961-2393
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.emmanuelepiscopal.org
Worship Services:
- Sundays: 8 a.m. (Rite I) and 10 a.m. (Rite II)
10 a.m. service is streamed on Facebook and YouTube - Compline: every evening on Facebook at 7:30 p.m.
Clergy:
- The Rev. Dr. Valori Mulvey Sherer, Priest in Charge
- The Rev. Sujanna Raj, Associate Priest - starting a grief group
- The Rev. Dr. Warren E. Crews, Priest Affiliate -
- The Rev. Paul A. Metzler, Priest Affiliate
Membership: 786
ASA: 185