Welcome to St. Giles Episcopal Church
Our Church's History
St. Giles' Episcopal Church was founded in 1958, and under Fr. Smith's guidance, the church grew from a dozen-plus families to several hundred. It looks much the same today as when it was constructed, except for the cross on the top, which had to be removed. The tower was lowered as winds caused the cross to move and leaks in the roof to form. Originally, bells were located in this tower, which were rung before each service; these have also since been removed.
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The bells and the cross stand now in a tower in front of the church and can be heard daily ringing the time.
The original members met in what's called "Trimble Hall" due to a large donation made by the William Trimble Family. (William now resides in the St. Joseph of Aramathia Memorial Garden behind the Church). After securing enough financing, the Sanctuary was built.
Later additions, such as the Pastor's Office (now the Music Room) and four classrooms, were made. The need for more space required additional facilities, and a Food Pantry and new office/Lounge were added.
Who Was St. Giles?
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Little is known about St Giles, but it is believed he lived in the late 7th – early 8th century, enacting most of his ministry in Provence, France. Originally from Athens, Giles fled to France and became a hermit, living in a forest near the mouth of the Rhône. It is said that while on a hunting expedition, Wamba, King of the Visigoths, chased a deer into Giles’ residence. Wamba is said to have shot an arrow that maimed Giles, with whom the deer had taken refuge. This is why Giles is commonly depicted in icons with a deer.
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Another legend speaks of Wamba's profound admiration for Giles’ holiness, leading him to establish an abbey in his honor. This act of reverence sparked the growth of the town of St Gilles, which in turn became a significant pilgrimage site, particularly during the Middle Ages. The abbey, serving as a safe haven for those journeying on the Camino de Santiago, added to the town's historical importance. Today, a 12th-century church, Saint-Gilles-du-Gard, stands where Giles’ monastery was believed to have been constructed, a testament to the enduring legacy of St Giles.
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St. Giles is the patron saint of disabled people, lepers, beggars, and blacksmiths. His feast day is September 1st.