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The Early History of Grace Episcopal Church

In the early days of 2024, Grace Episcopal Church of Panama City Beach, Florida welcomed a new Rector, Rev. Justin Boyd, relocating from Tulsa, Oklahoma. Fr. Justin serves both Grace Church and our sister congregation St. Thomas-By-The-Sea. The two churches serve the east and west ends of the beach, respectively. The geographical positions of the two churches are an underlying factor in the history of Grace Church. One of Father Boyd’s priorities is to develop a robust community presence as a significant contributor for outreach and growth. As a part of that endeavor, the following is a brief history of the formative years of Grace Episcopal Church.

If it were not for St. Thomas-By-The-Sea at Laguna Beach, there would be no Grace church. St. Thomas came first, so it is critical to know the history leading up to the formation of Grace Church.

In 1986, several members of St. Thomas held discussions with their Vicar, the Rev. Jack Wilhite about the future of the church and the question came up about the distance members traveled from the eastern end of the beach and Panama City suggesting that it was hampering growth. As a result, St. Thomas’ leadership began investigating the possibility of an outpost mission on the eastern end of Panama City Beach. By 1986, the group expressed enough confidence in the possibility of a new location that they purchased second hand pews and clergy chairs that would later become a part of St. Thomas East.

Then, on February 29, 1988, St. Thomas leased a building and land on the east end of the beach from St. Bernadette Catholic Church on the southeast corner of Highway 98 and Moylan Road for three years. The lease provided for no payments, only that St. Thomas would repair the roof and St. Bernadette would be allowed to continue using the facilities for Saturday evening services. The Pastor of St Bernadette and St. Thomas’ leadership were so confident the lease would be signed they began making the necessary repairs and modifications resulting in when the lease was signed, the building was ready for use.

The first service in the new facility was held on March 6, 1988, a few days after the lease was signed with 210 people in attendance. The new church was known as St. Thomas East and was a fully cooperative venture with St. Thomas-By-The-Sea.

Out of concern that the lease may not be renewed or the property sold by St. Bernadette, Father Wilhite and church leaders met with the Diocese to discuss the possibility of St. Thomas purchasing the property. The property was purchased on February 6, 1991. The Bishop dedicated and consecrated St. Thomas East on April 11, 1991. Through a focused and generous stewardship campaign, the mortgage was paid off during the first quarter of 1992.

During 1991, additional clergy were added, and the two churches became known as the “Twin Churches of St. Thomas”. Father Chuck Floyd and Father Jack Wilhite alternated between the two locations.

As the Twin Churches of St. Thomas continued to grow, it appeared that both churches could stand alone. St. Thomas-By-The-Sea and St. Thomas East agreed, and the separation took place on May 31, 1992, the Day of Pentecost. By a vote of the membership of St. Thomas East, the new church was named as Grace Episcopal Church. The Reverend Jack Wilhite became the first Vicar of Grace Church while Father Chuck Floyd remained at St. Thomas. There were 100 founding members at the beginning of Grace Church.

On February 5, 1993 at the Diocesan Convention, held at Christ Church, Mobile, the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast accepted Grace Episcopal Church as an Organized Mission.

The Grace congregation was shocked and saddened when Father Jack Wilhite,  Vicar and beloved founder of the church passed away on November 30, 1995. The new parish hall, Wilhite Hall, was dedicated to his memory.

The Reverend Kenneth Lee Barker was hired as the new Vicar and his first service was October 13, 1996.

Then, on February 6, 1998, the fifth anniversary of becoming an Organized Mission, Grace Church was formally recognized as a Parish at the Diocean Convention held at St. James Episcopal Church in Fairhope, Alabama.

Grace Church has maintained a steady presence in the Panama City Beach area with a dedicated congregation that welcomes “snow birds” and tourists as the population ebbs and flows through the yearly cycle.

Under the leadership of Father Boyd, the two churches are focusing on our relationship to present a united presence to the Panama City Beach area and provide a spiritual home for all.