Church of Our Saviour
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Church of Our Saviour is a congregation in Akron's West Hill neighborhood that is home to just over 200 people. Most Sundays, between 80-100 people attend church. We are young, old, gay, straight, partnered, single, parents and not. Some of us were born Episcopalians, and others of us never heard of such a thing before we got here. We are best known for our active outreach ministry in our neighborhood and beyond, our vigorous lay leadership, and our early and radical welcome to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
The Rev. Debra Bennett is the rector of Church of Our Saviour. Learn more about Mother Debra.
Learn more about how we worship God together
We are part of:
The Episcopal Diocese of Ohio, which comprises 95 parishes with a total of nearly 19,000 members in the 48 counties of northern Ohio.
The Episcopal Church, which welcomes all who worship Jesus Christ in 109 dioceses and three regional areas in 16 nations.
The Anglican Communion, the third largest Christian communion in the world, with approximately 70 to 80 million members.
History
Church of Our Saviour began in 1892 when a group of Episcopal women who lived in West Hill wanted a church near their homes. They appealed to Bishop Leonard of Ohio, who sent his archdeacon to organize a mission. In April 1895, that mission, which had been self-supporting from its beginning, became Church of Our Saviour.
Bishop Leonard laid the cornerstone of our building on June 13, 1895, and the first service was held on All Saints Day (November 1) 1896. The Parish Hall, endowed by Mrs. Richard P. Marvin, was completed in 1913.
Our history is intertwined with the history of Akron, and our focus on outreach today has been made possible by the generosity of the business leaders who endowed the parish in its early days. We have been a home for Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12-Step groups since the earliest days of that program. Dr. Bob, the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, sent his children to our Sunday School in the 1930s.
Vestry
Congregations in the Episcopal Church are governed by a vestry, a group of laypeople elected by the congregation according to our bylaws.
Worship times
Ministries
DINNER ON US
On the last Wednesday of each month, the people of Church of Our Saviour invite our neighbors to share a hot meal with us. Our doors open at 5:45 pm and the meal is served at 6:15 pm
THE FRIENDLY PANTRY
Each month on the last Monday morning of each month, beginning at 8 am, we invite our neighbors to visit the Friendly Pantry for groceries, muffins, coffee and conversations. If you'd like to volunteer, please email Anne Schwan or leave a message for her at the parish office at 330-535-9174. If you need some groceries to make ends meet, please join us on the last Monday of the month or ask the priest or an usher on Sunday morning.
LUNCH AT OPEN M
In 2011, Church of Our Saviour volunteers helped OPEN M serve about 700 hot lunches. In 2012, our dates to serve at OPEN M are February 15, April 18, June 20 and October 17. Look for a sign-up sheet at church before each date.
Learn more at OpenM.org
471 Crosby St
Akron, OH 44302-1518
United States
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