Get to Know: St. Martin's Episcopal Church, Ellisville
St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Ellisville is one of the “youngest” churches in our diocese. Founded in 1965, this parish is continually evolving, learning, and growing into a vibrant community of faith in West St. Louis County.
"The good part about having history that only goes back to 1965,” says the Rev. Leslie Scoopmire, “is that there are people here who go back all the way to the beginning!” That sense of personal history is evident in the compassion members have for each other and their community.
Music fills the halls of St. Martin’s, with active vocal and handbell choirs providing beautiful and uplifting hymns and spirituals on Sunday mornings. During the week, you’ll find members engaged in Bible study. Because the pandemic has been especially difficult for families with young children, volunteers prepare and distribute special packets to bring Sunday school lessons into homes.
A group of dedicated members maintains an impressive garden on St. Martin’s large lot. That garden has raised more than a ton of fresh vegetables for the food pantry at Circle of Concern in Fenton this year! St. Martin’s also sponsors a Boy Scout troop whose members help maintain the garden. That service has helped several scouts earn their Eagle Scout ranking.
Service to community continues with the newly established Laundry Love ministry. Teams of volunteers go to a local laundromat on the first Tuesday of every month to provide the funds and necessities to community members who may need a helping hand with their laundry. St. Martin’s is also proud to support St. John’s Peace Meal ministry, providing hot meals to those in need in St. Louis City.
It all adds up to a parish that is engaged in community. As the Rev. Leslie explains, there’s not a lot of “razzle-dazzle.” Members simply take their lessons from the worship services and put them to practice in ways big and small outside the church. “They’re very involved in their part of the county. They are Christians seeking to carry the light of Christ into the world.”
Vital Stats:
Church name: St. Martin’s Episcopal Church
Address: 15764 Clayton Ave.
City: Ellisville
Phone: 636-227-1484
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.stmartinschurch.org/
Worship Services:
- Sundays @ 10:30 a.m. - Holy Eucharist (in-person and livestream)
- Wednesdays & Saturdays @ 8:30 p.m. - Compline (livestream on Facebook)
Clergy:
- The Rev. Leslie Scoopmire, Rector
- The Rev. Shug Goodlow, Assistant Rector
Vision statement:
Our vision for St. Martin’s is to be used by God to change lives, strengthen churches, and transform the world.
Members: 254
Average Sunday Attendance: 106