About St. Catherine’s

St. Catherine’s Episcopal Church in Chelsea began as part of the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama’s Decade of Evangelism initiative to establish new congregations in growing communities. In 2007, a small group of about twenty people gathered for monthly Bible study, quickly expanding to weekly meetings and worship.

Later that year, Rev. John Mark Ford was called as founding rector. Early services were held at Chelsea Middle School before the congregation moved into a renovated former church building in February 2008. As the church grew, additional space was created with a refurbished trailer for ministries and offices.

Named for Catherine of Siena, St. Catherine’s was recognized as a worshiping community in 2008 and became a parish in 2010. Leadership transitions followed, including interim clergy and, in 2017, the calling of Rev. Eric N. Mancil as rector.

With continued growth, the church developed property on King’s Home Road, relocating and renovating buildings to serve as worship and ministry spaces. The new campus was consecrated in May 2019. That same year brought additional leadership changes, followed by the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, when services moved online.

In 2021, St. Catherine’s welcomed Rev. Sally Herring as Priest-in-Charge, marking a new chapter of stability and growth for the congregation.