Our History
St. Stephen Episcopal Church was born of the desires of several navy families to
worship in an Episcopal Church. In September, 1952, Bishop Bayne assisted these
families by providing advice and assistance. With his blessing this group progressed
from social gatherings and the formation of a St. Catherine’s Guild to weekly services
and a Sunday school program.
We were “a church without walls” which met in the I.O.O.F. Hall. We acquired property
and built our first building. On Christmas Eve of 1953 the first service was held in what
is now lovingly known as the A Frame. In January 1954 we were formally designated as a
Mission of the Diocese of Olympia.
In 1960 we dedicated a new building to accommodate our growth. In 1976 we became a
Parish and in 1977 we had a mortgage burning celebration. In 1981 we built another new
sanctuary and classrooms. The A frame became All Saints Chapel and Columbarium, the
rector’s office, the library and the church office. The sanctuary built in 1960 became the
Parish Hall.
In August 2003, in response to actions taken by General Convention the vestry voted to
withhold their assessment to the Diocese of Olympia, and in 2004 the vestry voted to
leave the Episcopal Church and come under a foreign bishop, forming St. Stephen’s
Anglican Church but continuing to occupy the church buildings.
The Episcopalians who did not agree with these actions found themselves searching for
an opportunity to worship together. We were again “a church without walls” and began
celebrating the Eucharist in homes. A retired Bishop, The Rt. Rev. Sanford Hampton, a
retired priest, The Rev Charles Forbes, and The Rev. Rachel Taber-Hamilton were sent
by the Diocese of Olympia to provide pastoral care. In December 2006 an agreement was
reached with the Anglicans for the Episcopalians to once again worship on the property
and Episcopal services began in All Saints Chapel on January 7, 2007. Fr Charlie
Forbes, who helped build the chapel back in 1953, was the first celebrant on Christmas
Eve in 1953, and again he was the first celebrant on our return to All Saints Chapel in
2007.
On Feb 11, 2007, we gathered for a Celebration of New Beginnings and welcomed The
Rev. Rachel Taber-Hamilton as our new rector.
We continue our more than 50 year mission to love and serve the Lord.
We Welcome you!