We Are St. Francis by the Sea

St. Francis by the Sea Today

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Welcome to St. Francis by the Sea Episcopal Church, a place where everyone, regardless of your background or church experience, is welcomed in the same Spirit of Christ. We believe in the inclusivity that Christ preached, inviting all to life in God without exception. We are part of the Episcopal expression of the Jesus Movement that is The Episcopal Diocese of Maine located in Province I of the Episcopal Church of the United States, members of the Worldwide Anglican Communion.​ Our story is rooted in the English Reformation of the sixteenth century, though our story connects to Christianity's center grounded in Christ's birth, life, teaching, death and resurrection.

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Our way of worship, informed by history, tradition, and reason is shaped by Word and Sacrament. We read the Word through the lens of Jesus, scripture's True Word. The sacraments of Baptism and Holy Eucharist are outward and visible signs of God's inward, spiritual grace. ​ We refer to worship as the “liturgy," an intention signifying that worship is the collective action of all of us gathered. Your presence and the presence of those around you are essential to complete our worship. We encourage and value your full participation in our worship in the presence of God and one another. We encourage and value your full participation in our worship.

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We Episcopalians are known for worshiping with our whole selves: body, mind, heart, and spirit. Whether sitting, standing, or kneeling, marking ourselves with the sign of the cross, keeping prayerful silence, or using our voices; these are all outward expressions that support connecting us and keeping us as a faith community in growing, active relationship with God and one another that we aspire to be from our whole hearts.

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Our life together is shaped by our liturgy, that becomes living through us in everyday life. We are a church that loves to pray and praise through music, mainly from The Hymnal 1982 (blue book, the numbers beginning with S are in the front of the hymnal) and Wonder, Love, and Praise (WLP, green book); or music found in this bulletin. The Book of Common Prayer is the red book found in the pews. It offers the outline of our worship based on scripture.

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Coming to St. Francis for the first time? Please sign our Guest Book in the entryway. We hope you will return often! To connect with us further, reach out to the parish office. We'd love to know more about you. Worship with us anytime on-line.

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The weekend of June 14/15, 2025, St. Francis by the See celebrated 50 years of ministry on the Blue Hill Peninsula with a reunion of clergy, friends and parishioners from across the years. We held a commemorative Service of Choral Evensong followed by a celebratory dinner. At the Sunday morning celebration of Holy Eucharist, thirteen

were confirmed, received and reaffirmed into the church by The Rt. Rev. Thomas J. Brown, indicating the vibrant, vital parish St. Francis by the Sea has become. A 50 year history is available for purchase through the parish office with memorable highlights of our first fifty years.

In 1975, eight Episcopalians met in Blue Hill for a celebration of the Eucharist with local resident, The Rev. Kenneth Anthony.  Shortly there after St. Francis became a recognized preaching station of the Diocese of Maine.

Over the next 15 years, the congregation grew. In 1989, the congregation faced the need for more pastoral care and space. In December of that year, it purchased the old North Penobscot Methodist Church.

A year later, the old church was moved to its present location in Blue Hill in Downeast Maine. St. Francis celebrated its first Eucharist in its new home on the feast of Pentecost in 1991. Renovations followed, and the building was consecrated on May 2, 1992.  In 1994 our first full-time vicar joined the active congregation. Upon achieving parish status in The Episcopal Diocese of Maine, Fr. Sandlin (1993-1999) became our first rector. Successive rectors having served were The Rev. Myrick Cross (2001-2003), The Rev. Claudia Smith (2007-2018), and The Rev. Brent Was (2020-2023). On January 1, 2024, The Rev. Douglas A. Beck, ObJN became our fifth rector. Fr. Beck continues in devoted service among our diverse, growing, energetic parish. St. Francis by the Sea continues to grow as a community dedicated to common worship, service and fellowship comprised of year round and seasonal members.

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