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St. Thomas by the Sea Episcopal Church

St. Thomas by the Sea was established as an Organized Mission by the Diocese of Florida in 1954, later becoming part of the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast when that diocese was created in 1981. The first service was held on July 5th, 1953 on the porch of the Community Center Building, which is now part of Charlie Lahan’s Carousel, by David Damon, a student at the Seminary of the University of the South – Sewanee. Our first Vicar was the Rev. George A. P. Jewell. Father Jewell served at St. Thomas from 1954-1955 and again from 1956-1957. Following ordination, David Damon held the position for nine months in the interim. Many priests were assigned to St. Thomas through the years. The Rev. Robert Johnson was also here twice, from 1963-1965 and 1974-1977. It might be noted that the Rev. Vernon Strickland, our 10th Vicar, was later elected Bishop of Western Kansas, and that two members of St. Thomas were ordained priests, quite an accomplishment for such a small congregation.
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The church was constructed in 1957, and the first service was held in the new building on the second of June. The parish hall, which was built at this time, was enlarged in 1974 and the next year named Jewell Hall in honor of our first Vicar. A growing church added an education and office building in 1977, which was named Lahan Hall to honor Carol Lee and Broderick Lahan who were instrumental in the founding of St. Thomas by the Sea.
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In 1982, under the leadership of the Rev. Jack Wilhite, St. Thomas opened the church to visiting Episcopal youth groups, building bunks in Lahan Hall and allowing the visitors to use church facilities, including the popular outdoor showers. The youth groups were not charged, which made it possible for many to visit our beautiful beaches who might not have been able to afford the vacation. This project was concluded in 2001 when Lahan Hall was returned to its original educational purposes and used by our youth.
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St. Thomas’ continued growth allowed the church to seek parish status, which was granted in February 1988. In March of that year, St. Thomas East was established on the fast growing eastern beaches and we became known as “The Twin Churches of St. Thomas.” The two churches separated in 1992 when both were able to stand alone. Rev. Charles Floyd served as Vicar St. Thomas by the Sea, and Rev. Jack Wilhite served at St. Thomas East, now Grace Episcopal Church.
Since that time, an outdoor chapel, a steeple and bell, a renovation and then addition to Jewell Hall, and many other improvements to the church both inside and out have been accomplished through the devoted work of our parishioners. Of special note, is the beautiful stained glass window, “Jesus and Thomas,” which was designed and built by our own Harry Sweezey and dedicated to the memory of Sharon and Ronald Robinson. Several years later, he also produced twelve lovely stained glass windows surrounding the sanctuary.