The History of Holy Nativity Episcopal Church

In the Beginning

The Church of the Holy Nativity began as an answer to prayer, and it remains so today.

In 1964, twelve individuals prayed Holy Nativity into existence. All were communicants at Christ Church, near the north end of St. Simons Island, who hoped to establish an altar farther south in the area known as the Village. The original plan called for Christ Church to have responsibility for the mission, but after further prayer, the twelve petitioned for direct diocesan authority over the new congregation.

Then began the hard work of securing the essentials: a priest, a place to worship, and all the appointments necessary for celebrating the Eucharist.

In late November, Father Archer Torrey, a missionary on leave from Korea, received permission from the Bishop to celebrate Eucharist with the emerging congregation on Christmas Eve 1964. The service was held in the Oglethorpe Room of First Federal Savings and Loan on Ocean Boulevard. Twenty-nine Episcopalians attended, worshiping with folding chairs, a metal picnic table serving as the altar, and borrowed vestments, altar appointments, prayer books, hymnals, and a processional cross.

Meetings continued as the small congregation sought “the will of God for the young church.” Early members decided they did not need “a large, beautiful church with stained glass windows, a pipe organ, etc.,” but rather a place where they could be “a beacon light to the Island,” reaching out to those who were lost or hurting as well as those searching for a church home.

Growing Through the Years

God’s answers required faith, ingenuity, and determination.

In early 1965, Sunday services were held in the Golden Isles Masonic Lodge. Each Saturday evening, the space was converted from a secular meeting hall into a place of worship—and returned to meeting space on Sunday afternoon.

The church ultimately purchased the Lodge building for $600 but needed a permanent location for it. Land on King’s Way was originally chosen, but objections arose because of the building’s size. The neighborhood sought assistance from the Sea Island Company, which arranged a property transfer that gave Holy Nativity its current home on Mallery Street. The building was moved there on November 18, 1965.

As the congregation grew, more space was needed. Once again, an unexpected answer appeared.

In 1966, Naval Air Station Jacksonville was giving away obsolete buildings to organizations willing to move them. Despite a myriad of mishaps—including a hurricane during transport—the “Gospel Barge” made its way up the Inland Waterway to the waterfront at Epworth. From there, the building was transported by flatbed truck to its new home.

Inside, a kitchen, sacristy, office, parish hall, and restroom with running water—a first—were constructed. Outside, new siding and landscaping were added, along with a church bell.

In 1971, an additional lot was purchased and a columbarium installed. Four years later, a meditation garden followed. Holy Nativity continued to grow, setting the stage for the mission to become a parish in 1983.

Where Is the Holy Spirit Leading Holy Nativity?

In 2022, the Holy Nativity Vestry asked the congregation to dedicate six months to prayer and discussion, listening for the Holy Spirit’s guidance as we considered three questions: Who are we? What do we believe is important? What dreams do we have for our future?

We were asked to “Be still and know that I am God” as we reflected on how we had come to this moment and allowed the Holy Spirit to reveal a vision for our future.

Five themes emerged from these collective discussions:

Spirituality and Worship ∙ Inreach ∙ Outreach ∙ Personnel ∙ Physical Property

One significant challenge was also identified as hindering our ability to engage parishioners and strengthen our ministries: We did not have adequate meeting and classroom space for our essential needs.

Our most critical need was additional space for:

  • learning in small and large groups;

  • organizing youth outreach;

  • providing privacy for those in need of counsel;

  • supporting a future choir; and

  • providing adequate access to facilities for those with disabilities.

Over the years, Holy Nativity has been careful and thorough in addressing its physical plant needs and managing its resources. By 2022, however, it had become clear that we could no longer simply work around the limitations of our existing facilities.

In May 2024, the Vestry appointed a Building Committee and engaged a local architect to study our needs and develop a master plan. The analysis identified several needs that should be addressed immediately and others that would require additional time and planning.

The Building Committee recommended a two-phase approach.

Phase 1: Diamond Jubilee Capital Campaign

The expansion of Cate Hall included:

  • a locked storage area;

  • two classrooms;

  • accessible restrooms;

  • a new sacristy;

  • a work area; and

  • renovated parish offices, including a small conference room.

Phase 2 includes:

  • refurbishing Cate Hall;

  • renovating the kitchen; and

  • expanding the front of the church.

The estimated cost of Phase 1 was $600,000. In March 2025, the Vestry launched the Diamond Jubilee Capital Campaign with that amount as its goal.

On June 28, 2026, the Capital Campaign Chair announced that the Phase 1 goal had not only been met but exceeded: $605,485 had been raised, allowing us to move into our new and renovated spaces.

The announcement coincided with our farewell tribute to Father Thomas Townsend III, whose leadership helped the congregation meet this ambitious goal and positioned Holy Nativity to continue fulfilling its vision for mission and ministry for generations to come.

Still a Beacon of Light

As our congregation grows, so does Holy Nativity’s spiritual journey and outreach. Yet the promise made by that small group more than six decades ago—to be a “beacon light to the Island”—has never wavered.

We continue to live the truth that All Are Welcome. Whether the reason for entering our red doors is simple or profound, and wherever someone may be in their walk with God, we consider it a privilege to welcome them.

From twenty-nine Episcopalians gathered around a metal picnic-table altar on Christmas Eve 1964 to the congregation that worships here today, the story of Holy Nativity continues to be a story of faith, prayer, welcome, and service.

And our red doors remain open and our mission continues: To Know Christ and To Make Christ Known.