Share a story
We are old and young, female and male, gay and straight, cis-gender and non-binary in gender identification. We are single, married, divorced, widowed, black, white, brown and more across a wide socio-economic range. St. Andrew’s is an open, inclusive community of faith. We believe that God loves everyone, no exceptions. We have been described as “Traditional in pews and kneelers, ornate altar and vestments.
You don’t have to officially join to attend a service and worship. We use The Book of Common Prayer which is drawn directly from the Bible. We provide a weekly bulletin which guides worshipers through the service and our worship is participatory if you choose. We regularly offer a Children’s sermon and we have a time when the congregation moves to the altar to receive “the body and blood of Christ” (bread and wine), called the Eucharist or Holy Communion. All are welcome.
We open our doors to a number of organizations and events both at the local community level and the wider diocesan level. Our location in a small downtown is also convenient and accessible. We have a large auditorium, a smaller lounge, classrooms, a large commercial kitchen and offices. This space allows us to offer a number of ministries and assistance to our community.
St. Andrew’s was established in April of 1837. Mr. Orrin Cowles opened his home to all who were interested in the Episcopal Church. It was decided to form a parish and name it St. Andrew’s Elyria. The Rev. Anson Clark became the first Rector. Orrin Cowles became the first Mayor of Elyria in 1842. The church structure was built in 1872 and has undergone several additions and renovations.
Worship times
Volunteer opportunities
Please see a list of our ministries to decide what interests you most. We encourage you to participate at the level you are most comfortable and/or just “try” out something of interest.
Ministries
HEATHER CAMPBELL REICH COMMUNITY MEAL PROGRAM
Our meal program is named to honor Heather Campbell Reich who is responsible for developing the design of our current Community Meal Program. (Heather died in 2005 from a cerebral aneurysm. )
Heather believed that no one should go unfed in this community. She spent countless hours making sure meals and packaged food were available. Her idea was to make meals available in Elyria on the days no other program was serving.
In September of 2003, Heather launched the Community Meals Program with the partnership of six other area churches. This ministry continues to operate today and while St. Andrew’s is the host, the program is blessed with outstanding partners in this community effort. St. Andrew’s is the home to 8-10 meals per month served by St. Andrew’s and several other faith communities. It has grown from serving approximately 30 people per meal to serving over 80 people per meal. A calendar on our website identifies the dates a meal is being served at St. Andrew’s.
FOOD PANTRY
The Food Pantry is operated on the lower level of the building and entry is available on 3rd Street. Hours of operation are 9:30am to 11:30am every Thursday and Friday (except Christmas). For many families, it provides critically needed staples that supplement their limited resources.
St. Andrew’s serves clients who live in the city of Elyria and meet the income guidelines set by the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services. The recipients are limited by regulation to one visit per month. Our process includes taking clients through the pantry and offering them the ability to make choices based on their needs and family size.
Much of the food offered comes to us through Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio – a charitable organization funded by grants from the State and foundations, and operated under Federal and State guidelines. Second Harvest offers us the opportunity to order food for highly discounted prices which enables us to offer variety and options that best serve our community. We are also beneficiaries of Second Harvest’s annual community-wide campaign called “Harvest for Hunger” which collects food and raises funds to stock food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters throughout the region. Any food from this campaign is free to St. Andrew’s.
St. Andrew’s also participates in a diocesan supported program called “2 Cents a Meal.” Half of the money collected from weekly donations goes directly to our food pantry and community meals.
The Food Pantry is a completely volunteer operated program and provides quality food with nutritional value to people in need.
BASIC SHELTER
Shelter is available in the evenings on especially cold nights during the winter months. If the temperature reaches 20 degrees or below (wind chill temperature included), the shelter will offer a warm space with beds, blankets, and pillows. This is strictly an overnight stay where guests arrive late in the evening (between 7pm – 9pm) and must leave by 7am. Our goal is to fulfill a basic need to those who have found themselves homeless.
Sacred Ground Race Dialogue Circles
Sacred Ground is dialogue series on race, grounded in faith. Small groups are invited to walk through chapters of America’s history of race, racism, and whiteness while weaving in threads of family story, economic class, and political and regional identity. The 10-part series is built around a powerful online curriculum of documentary films and readings that focus on Indigenous, Black, Latino, and Asian/Pacific American histories as they intersect with European American histories.
Sacred Ground is a resource coming out of Becoming Beloved Community, The Episcopal Church’s long-term commitment to racial healing, reconciliation, and justice in our personal lives, our ministries, and our society. This series is especially designed to help white people talk with other white people, while being open to all racial/ethnic groups. Participants are invited to peel away the layers that have contributed to the challenges and divides of the present day – all while grounded in our call to faith, hope and love.
300 3rd St
Elyria, OH 44035-5618
United States
Contact
