ST EDMUND CHURCH HAS BEEN THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH PRESENCE AND MINISTRY IN DESOTO COUNTY FOR OVER 125 YEARS
The Episcopal Church of St. Edmund the Martyr was founded in 1893 in Arcadia, Florida. The actual first Episcopal worship service was officiated by the Rt. Rev. Edwin Weed, Third Bishop of Florida, on October 13, 1891. The first church building was built in 1897, and it serves today as part of the parish hall. The present church building was built in 1930. St. Edmund Church is in the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida.
The Episcopal Church is part of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The Episcopal/Anglican tradition is an expression of the Christian faith that is referred to as the "Via Media" or "Middle Way". Our church is both Catholic and Reform in its theology. We maintain Catholic structure and sacramental theology tempered with Reform theology rising out of the Protestant Reformation. Classical Anglicanism references a theological base resting on Scripture, Tradition, and Reason.
St. Edmund the Martyr was king of Norfolk in England from 855 AD until 870 AD. The Danes captured him as they invaded northeastern England. The price for peace and his freedom was his denial of his Christian faith. He refused, and at the age of 29 he was bound to a tree and shot with arrows. His remains were interred at the Benedictine Abbey of Bury St. Edmunds.
In 1893 land was purchased in Arcadia at the cost of $150 for the establishment of a mission church. In 1897 the original wooden structure was built. From that small beginning the Church of St. Edmund became an organized mission in 1902, which meant the congregation consisted of at least 50. The present church building was finally completed in 1930 at the cost of $8800. This money was raised by the women of the church. The first resident priest, the Rev. Frank Shore, was assigned by Bishop William Gray in 1912.
St. Edmund Church was served by a series of priests until January 1948, when the Rev. J.M. Massie was called as vicar. Father Massie served faithfully until his retirement in 1975 and he was Vicar Emeritus until his death in 1988.
Since 1975 the priests of St. Edmund Church have been the Reverend Edward Manning (until 1979), Melvin Allshouse (until 1982), Raymond Dage (until 1989), Jim Bingham (until 1993), Bill Johns (until 1995), Ron Nevens (until 1998), Raymond Kress (until 2003), Greg Fry (until 2007), Jim Williamson (until 2015), Lisa Hamilton (until 2017), and James McConnell (until 2021). Father Jim Williamson currently serves as priest-in-charge.
The Rev. Jimmie Hunsinger served as deacon from 1996 until 1998.
The Rev. Robert Vaughn has served as deacon since 2001.
The Book of Common Prayer clearly states that the ministers of this Church are the ordained clergy and the laity. The people and clergy of St. Edmund's exercise their ministry in various ways in the church and in the community.
The congregation celebrated the 125th anniversary of St. Edmund Church in 2018, culminating with a joyous anniversary liturgy on November 17, 2018 officiated by the Rt. Rev. Dabney Smith, Fifth Bishop of Southwest Florida.
Love, Faith, Service, and Endurance: A History of St. Edmund the Martyr Episcopal Church was written by Deacon Robert Vaughn as part of the 125th anniversary observance.
The Episcopal Church of St. Edmund the Martyr was founded in 1893 in Arcadia, Florida. The actual first Episcopal worship service was officiated by the Rt. Rev. Edwin Weed, Third Bishop of Florida, on October 13, 1891. The first church building was built in 1897, and it serves today as part of the parish hall. The present church building was built in 1930. St. Edmund Church is in the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida.
The Episcopal Church is part of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The Episcopal/Anglican tradition is an expression of the Christian faith that is referred to as the "Via Media" or "Middle Way". Our church is both Catholic and Reform in its theology. We maintain Catholic structure and sacramental theology tempered with Reform theology rising out of the Protestant Reformation. Classical Anglicanism references a theological base resting on Scripture, Tradition, and Reason.
St. Edmund the Martyr was king of Norfolk in England from 855 AD until 870 AD. The Danes captured him as they invaded northeastern England. The price for peace and his freedom was his denial of his Christian faith. He refused, and at the age of 29 he was bound to a tree and shot with arrows. His remains were interred at the Benedictine Abbey of Bury St. Edmunds.
In 1893 land was purchased in Arcadia at the cost of $150 for the establishment of a mission church. In 1897 the original wooden structure was built. From that small beginning the Church of St. Edmund became an organized mission in 1902, which meant the congregation consisted of at least 50. The present church building was finally completed in 1930 at the cost of $8800. This money was raised by the women of the church. The first resident priest, the Rev. Frank Shore, was assigned by Bishop William Gray in 1912.
St. Edmund Church was served by a series of priests until January 1948, when the Rev. J.M. Massie was called as vicar. Father Massie served faithfully until his retirement in 1975 and he was Vicar Emeritus until his death in 1988.
Since 1975 the priests of St. Edmund Church have been the Reverend Edward Manning (until 1979), Melvin Allshouse (until 1982), Raymond Dage (until 1989), Jim Bingham (until 1993), Bill Johns (until 1995), Ron Nevens (until 1998), Raymond Kress (until 2003), Greg Fry (until 2007), Jim Williamson (until 2015), Lisa Hamilton (until 2017), and James McConnell (until 2021). Father Jim Williamson currently serves as priest-in-charge.
The Rev. Jimmie Hunsinger served as deacon from 1996 until 1998.
The Rev. Robert Vaughn has served as deacon since 2001.
The Book of Common Prayer clearly states that the ministers of this Church are the ordained clergy and the laity. The people and clergy of St. Edmund's exercise their ministry in various ways in the church and in the community.
The congregation celebrated the 125th anniversary of St. Edmund Church in 2018, culminating with a joyous anniversary liturgy on November 17, 2018 officiated by the Rt. Rev. Dabney Smith, Fifth Bishop of Southwest Florida.
Love, Faith, Service, and Endurance: A History of St. Edmund the Martyr Episcopal Church was written by Deacon Robert Vaughn as part of the 125th anniversary observance.
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