History, Mission, and Vision

History

Emmanuel Church was organized in 1852, with the original sanctuary completed in 1854, designed in the English Country Gothic style by Niernsee and Nielsen. Its members, who had attended Christ Church at Gay and Fayette Streets in “Old Town” moved to Mount Vernon and built their new church.

Extensive remodeling was initiated in 1912, and in 1920 the limestone façade was added on the Cathedral Street side. The church’s gray granite “Christmas Tower,” in the Flemish Gothic style, was completed as a memorial to Mrs. H. Crawford Black, who died in 1916 on Christmas Day.  The Parish House, just south of the church, was built in the early 1920s and now houses parish offices, a gallery space with revolving art exhibits, the Great Hall, several meeting and social rooms, Christian Formation program rooms, and a children’s play area.

Mission

The mission of Emmanuel Episcopal Church is to provide a friendly, diverse and stimulating community in which members may awaken to a deeper understanding of themselves within God’s love by worship, fellowship and a shared ministry of reasoned theology and may be empowered to share with others by thought, word and deed the teaching and love of Jesus.

Vision

Emmanuel Episcopal Church is a parish community where the best of the Anglican tradition embraces innovative thought and open-minded conversation. Inclusion is expected and all people are welcomed. Beliefs are put into action and people are encouraged to seek God, love their neighbor, and progress on their own spiritual journeys.