St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church
The Episcopal Church in Rural Hays
The ancient Celtics believed that there were “thin places” located all over the world. A thin place is a place where, for some reason, it is easier to feel close to God: easier to pray; easier to feel God’s presence and easier to feel comforted, treasured and loved by God. St Andrew’s is just such a place.
Worshiping in the Episcopal Tradition from 1883 to Today
Sunday Services are held at 8AM
You are welcome to join in the service at any time. While the liturgy is ancient, it is easy to follow along with the service leaflet. If you have been to a Catholic church service, you will will feel right at home here.
The service usually runs about 45 minutes, dress is casual.
Holy Eucharist is provided but not required.
Come as you are, God made you perfect.
Sundays at St. A’s
Worship at St. Andrew’s is held at 8AM every Sunday morning. It is a spoken service, except for during special seasons, we do not sing.
It is a “Rite I” service, which means that we use a lot of the old “thee and thou” language. But don’t let that put you off. The liturgy is easy to follow and the service is easy to understand. And, you may you may learn to love the ancient customs that have been part of the Anglican tradition for centuries.
What to Expect
When you enter the church, you will find a table with a stack of “service bulletins” for today’s service. This bulletin is all you need to follow along through the whole service. Pick one up and find a seat.
Sit anywhere. There are no assigned seats and there are no “bad seats” in the house of God. Dress informally. Be comfortable. We are a rural church, no one will be wearing a tuxedo. BE AWARE: there is no running water at St. Andrew’s. The facilities are rustic (=privvy). Please plan accordingly.
Visit by Yourself
St. Andrew’s is open to the public. Please feel free to linger in the worship space, meditate, pray, or otherwise encounter the Divine. You will find the Book of Common Prayer on the shelves as well as the 1982 Hymnal. There are many sacred words and songs to be found in those pages.
If you do visit, please be sure to leave the building as you found it - lights and heat off, and the door carefully latched behind you. And please do sign the guest book, we love to know who passed this way on their journey.
How it all began….
In 1883, Robert Barns, a wealthy Englishman, settled in Ellis County, about 14 miles north of Hays . He brought with him relatives and friends from England and Ireland to live on the 26.5 sections of land he owned. At the time the community was called Bantam, and then Silverdale.
These families came from devout Church of England stock and, living on the frontier, continued their traditions, worshiping in their homes. But all the time, they were praying for a more traditional church.
