A Church History With Roots and a Growing Future

"I love the notion of worshipping in a parish that has been part of Outer Banks culture
for so long."

The first Episcopal presence on the Outer Banks dates to 1849, when a chapel named All Saints was constructed in Nags Head on the banks of Roanoke Sound. In those times it was customary for settlers to live on the sound, rather than on the ocean. Indeed, back then Outer Banks residents feared the damage that could be caused by stormy ocean surf. They kept their homes and families safely positioned on the islands' western edge. The chapel was consecrated on August 18, 1850, the anniversary of the birth of Virginia Dare, the first English child born on American soil. That same day, the Rt. Rev. Sillman Ives ordained the Rev. William Gries and confirmed three parishioners. In 1859 and 1860, All Saints Chapel hosted the Albemarle Convocation of the Diocese. This gathering drew parish priests and vestry members from churches across northeastern North Carolina. All had to travel to the Outer Banks by boat and bring sufficient supplies - including food, bedding, and linens! Unfortunately, the original chapel was destroyed by Federal Troops during the Civil War. On August 6, 1916, the chapel that stands today was consecrated by the Rt. Rev. Thomas C. Darst, D.D. It was built to the west of what is now the U.S. 158 Bypass, between two dunes known as Engagement Hill and Hotel Hill. Twenty years later, hurricane winds caused the building to list. The damage was quickly repaired. In 1937, when the building was threatened by encroaching sand and standing rainwater, it was moved to its present location. Strong winds in 1944 once again knocked the building off kilter, making repairs necessary. The first rector of the church we use today was The Rev. Robert Brent Drane, D.D., who served from the building's inception until his death in 1939. His son, the Rev. Frederick B. Drane, succeeded him. In 1954 the church first began holding year-round services, with a congregation of 16 members. Other beloved rectors through the years included the Rev. A.C.D. Noe, the Rev. Robert W. Turner, the Rev. Joseph P. Burroughs, the Rev. Kenneth L. Whitney, the Rev. Stan Easty, and the Rev. K. Weldon (Don) Porcher. As church membership grew, a parish hall, nave, and classroom wing were constructed. In the past decade especially, St. Andrew's has become a thriving parish. Where once a few hardy year-round residents gathered for worship, single people, families, and retired folks all join in pews to celebrate the glory of God. The parish took another historic step in 2001 and 2002 with the construction of a new main sanctuary and additions to meeting, classroom, and office space. [BACK TO TOP]

1995 · We followed a call to plant a new congregation on the north beaches of these Outer Banks. All Saints' Southern Shores is our witness to the faithful actions of many over these years. Next, we established in 1996 a Committee 2000, whose purpose was to carefully study the needs of our congregation and set forth a proposal for the coming millennium.

1996-1997 · Our numbers in attendance have grew steadily so that three (3) year round services on Sunday morning maximized the capacity of our church on Sunday mornings. In the recent past, we have held seven (7) services on Easter Sunday -- 1,000-1,200 in attendance - by holding separate services concurrently in the church and parish hall. We was realized that once we reached 80% (seating capacity of 140) attendance is hindered. This point was proved statistically by the planting of all Saint's Southern Shores. A graphing of attendance showed a dip in numbers ever so briefly when approximately 50 households from Saint Andrews By-The-Sea were the seed for the (then) new congregation. Within a month or two, our attendance reached again a plateau of approximately 300 on average in attendance each Sunday... demonstrating the point that once we have reached a certain percentage in attendance, our numbers plateau. [BACK TO TOP]

Saint Andrews By-The-Sea had used every inch of space... closets, storage rooms, stage and, again, the sacristy for classrooms. In fact the Committee 2000 determined that some 80 different groups (most church affiliated , and including support groups such as AA,Al Anon, NA, etc.) meet at this church throughout the year. The Committee 2000 recommended to the vestry that additional land be purchased adjacent to the existing church to provide additional space for worship, offices, classrooms, music and parking. The property adjacent, south and southwest, was available after careful negotiations and meticulous unraveling of old bounds, ownership, etc. Saint Andrews By-The-Sea, having no debt and living without benefit of any endowment, purchased the property at a cost of some $110,000. People rallied to the cause and within one year this property was paid in full. At this time, the rector and vestry received notice of a gift of the full copyright and royalties from a popular series of books by the late Charles Whedbee. The gift was restricted (subsequently accepted and designated by the vestry and rector) to use for the upkeep and care of the original church and its narthex. The vestry determined to invest these monies as an endowment for the same and has done so through investments with the Diocese of East Carolina. [BACK TO TOP]

1998 · With the needed property paid in full and an endowment for the maintenance of the existing church, our vestry and rector were led to form a Facility Needs Committee (FNC) in 1998. This committee began the work of taking recommendations made by the Committee 2000 and developing a plan for additional facilities. The Bishop of East Carolina gave his blessings and the FNC, with approval of the vestry and support of the congregation, began to interview potential architects.

1999 · Subsequently, the vestry interviewed and approved the services of James D. Klote Associates to conduct a capital campaign in 1999. This campaign was conducted with an on-site director who began the process with a feasibility study. This study brought the entire congregation together for the best understanding of needs and of our capacity to meet these needs. An educated estimate of costs some two years ago concluded that 2 Million would be needed for this venture.

2000 · With remarkable concurrence and ready spirit, we raised a sum of 1.4 Million in pledges. [BACK TO TOP]

2001 · Our architect continued to work actively with the FNC, vestry and rector. We got the necessary approvals from the Town of Nags Head and the State of North Carolina. Bids were let and approved for site work and were opened for the building of our new facilities. An official ground-breaking was held on July 1, 2001 with great enthusiasm. As the bid and necessary permits are time sensitive, we presented our plans for the Standing Committee, and obtained the approval from the Diocese. We presented our plans with full confidence in our ability to meet the fiscal responsibilities required. The vestry of Saint Andrews By-The-Sea met on Tuesday September 12, 2001 after a Service of National Mourning, Prayer and Healing and unanimously agreed to the following: It is the intent of this church to proceed in committing Saint Andrews By-The-Sea to enter into contract for the purpose of building additional facilities to meet our needs. Recognizing that this contract requires additional funds, we commit to raise $300,000 from among our members and friends.

2002 to July 3, 2003 · The new construction has been underway now for some time and final occupancy has been moved back a number of times. It was the greatest moment of all to witness the signing of the final permit of occupancy and to see the church come to life like an ant hill stirred up on Wednesday at 5:00 p.m., July 3, 2003... just in the nick of time for Sunday Services on the weekend of July 4th (Sunday, July 6, 2003)! [BACK TO TOP]

July 6, 2003 · The first Sunday services were held with great enthusiasm on Sunday, July 6, 2003! The air handler system was a bit strong as it blew out candles and whisked the sermon off of the pulpit... even the Host Wafer at Communion had to be retrieved as it blew off the altar! The new Altar was delivered just in time, having been built by our (late) dear fellow member and boatright, Taylor Harrison and delivered just before his death. It is built of solid cherry wood as is the baptismal font stand which he also built. His faithful assistant in boat building, David Sawyer, helped him finish these two precious items and delivered them both to the new church. The Church was dedicated at a festive service held on Sunday, October 12, 2003. Bishop Clifton Daniel, diocesan for East Carolina dedicated the church and Co nfirmed and Received a host of teenagers and adults at the same.

2003 to 2005 · We experienced the growing pains of moving from a family-sized church setting to a program size setting.

2006 - Today . By God's grace and the generous spirit of many, we have paid off a debt of over $500,000. We are now at the edge of a new day with great resolve to move forward in faith. Our relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ is strong. We are called to lead on faithfully in our mission and ministry. We are committed to the doctrine, discipline and worship of Christ as this Church has received them. Our aim is to grow spiritually into a holy temple of the Lord. (Ephesians 2)  [BACK TO TOP]