Grace Episcopal Church Celebrates 178th Anniversary

February 23 marks the 178th anniversary of the founding of Grace Episcopal Church, Canton, under the guidance of Rev. Deacon Elijah Downing. At the time, the Diocese of Mississippi did not have its own fulltime bishop; it was the Domestic Missionary Society of the Episcopal Church in the United States that sent Downing to Madison County. Six months would pass before the parish had a priest of its own. It would be five years before it had its own building. Worship services were held in rental space within a structure shared with other Christian denominations.

Yet, on Wednesday, February 23, 1848, thirty-three Madison Countians (fourteen couples and five bachelors) came together, rolled up their sleeves, and set the course for the new parish and its community involvement.

“Our little parish is steeped in rich tradition, but we continuously seek ways to enliven that tradition, transforming it to relevance in the contemporary, everyday life of people,” says Senior Warden Bobby DeLaughter. “Here, at Grace Church, everyone is welcome.

Regardless of your age, race, culture, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, pocketbook size, or religious background, you are welcome here, just as you are; because Grace Church is committed to being a loving community of faith, built on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Whatever time someone spends with us, we pray they will experience healing love and the full welcome of Christ.”

DeLaughter says that the parish’s community outreach includes the operation of a monthly food pantry for those in need, serving meals at Our Daily Bread, and providing tutoring assistance for young students in the county’s Hispanic community.