About St. Michael's Episcopal Church
You are welcomed to worship with St. Michael's - no matter where you are on your faith journey. Not sure what you believe? You are welcomed here. Long-time Christian? You are welcomed here. Exploring the Christian faith? You are welcomed here. Had painful experiences in the past in Church and are unsure? You are welcomed here. Just looking to join us on a special Sunday? You are welcomed here.
We are glad to welcome anyone who needs to remember the truth that we are all loved, just as we are, that we are all capable of kindness, that we are called to create a community and a world of acceptance and welcome. Come as you are and join our community of messy, faithful, and loving people.
St. Michael’s was built on the “holy hill” of southeast Lexington in 1955. Today we worship and serve in a thriving neighborhood that includes the Arboretum, Trader Joe’s, Landsdowne Center and the venerable Lexington restaurant, Ramsey’s.
While location, location, location is important in real estate, we know people are always more important, especially when it comes to church. Our congregants range from founding members to Lexington newcomers; life-long Episcopalians and people new to Christianity; singles, married, and partnered; babies and active seniors. Together, we gather to worship, laugh, grieve, pray, celebrate, and serve both God and neighbor.
We are glad to welcome anyone who needs to remember the truth that we are all loved, just as we are, that we are all capable of kindness, that we are called to create a community and a world of acceptance and welcome. Come as you are and join our community of messy, faithful, and loving people.
St. Michael’s was built on the “holy hill” of southeast Lexington in 1955. Today we worship and serve in a thriving neighborhood that includes the Arboretum, Trader Joe’s, Landsdowne Center and the venerable Lexington restaurant, Ramsey’s.
While location, location, location is important in real estate, we know people are always more important, especially when it comes to church. Our congregants range from founding members to Lexington newcomers; life-long Episcopalians and people new to Christianity; singles, married, and partnered; babies and active seniors. Together, we gather to worship, laugh, grieve, pray, celebrate, and serve both God and neighbor.
Commonly Asked Questions
Where are you located?
We're at 2025 Bellefonte Drive in Lexington, a few blocks behind Trader Joe's off Nicholasville Road. We have a nice big parking lot, and our Church is accessible to those who have mobility challenges. Google Maps will get you here.
What time are your services?
We celebrate the Holy Eucharist on Sunday mornings at 8:30 am (Rite I) and 10:30 am (Rite II with choir). We also worship on Wednesdays at 1:00 pm. Rite I is a spoken service using older English with thee's and thou's that reaches back to the ancient roots of worship. Our Rite II service is in contemporary language and has our choir to lead us in hymns. Our Wednesday service is very casual - spoken with a conversational sermon.
How long are your services?
We celebrate the Holy Eucharist on Sunday mornings at 8:30 am (Rite I) and 10:30 am (Rite II with choir). We also worship on Wednesdays at 1:00 pm. Rite I is a spoken service using older English with thee's and thou's that reaches back to the ancient roots of worship. Our Rite II service is in contemporary language and has our choir to lead us in hymns. Our Wednesday service is very casual - spoken with a conversational sermon.
Check our website (usually our homepage) for the times of special services like Christmas Eve or Good Friday.
Our Sunday at 8:30 am and Wednesday at 1:00 pm are about an hour. Our Sunday at 10:30 am can run about 75 minutes, especially if there's a baptism or some other special event.
Check our website (usually our homepage) for the times of special services like Christmas Eve or Good Friday.
Our Sunday at 8:30 am and Wednesday at 1:00 pm are about an hour. Our Sunday at 10:30 am can run about 75 minutes, especially if there's a baptism or some other special event.
Can I bring friends?
Of course! St. Michael's welcomes all who want to worship, to explore, and to ask questions.
are children welcome?
Yes, always! Just as they are! Learn more about kids at St. Michael's here.
what should i wear?
We don't have a dress code; we want you to be comfortable. Want to break out your finest and dress up? Have at it! Want to wear something casual? That's fine, too. Wear what makes you feel good. Those who are trans are welcomed to dress in a way that expresses their gender. You'll see a wide variety of clothing choices at St. Michael's. We are more interested in the person wearing the clothes than the clothes you wear.
do i need to do anything different if this is my first visit?
No, just join us. And if you have questions, you can ask our ushers, other members, or our clergy. We are here to help you. And remember, at one time, we all visited St. Michael's for the first time.
what can i expect to happen during a service?
We give you a cheat sheet as soon as you walk in! When you enter church, you'll see a table with the Sunday service bulletins on it. The bulletin walks you through every step of the service. We use the Book of Common Prayer, and copies are in every pew. The order of service is really easy to follow, but don't worry - nobody will mind if you don't know when to stand, sit, or sing! Again, we are happy you've joined us.
do i have to give money?
No. Our offering plate is at the Church entrance, and you may give a financial offering (our bulletin has several ways to give). The offering goes to support our many outreach ministries at St. Michael's, and many see giving as a way to give back to God for the gifts God has given us. We are absolutely okay if you simply join us for worship. Please don't feel any pressure at all to give financially.
do i participate in communion?
All baptized Christians, whether you are an Episcopalian or a member of another denomination are welcomed to receive communion. This is where it gets a bit odd. Because of Covid, we've made some adaptations. You can receive the Host (the bread) and have a full and complete blessing. You may also receive the Cup (the wine) from either the Common Chalice or our Household Chalices, which are smaller glasses for individual or household use. You may also intinct (dip the Host in the Wine) in the Household Chalice. We also have consecrated non-alcoholic wine. Yes, it's a bit confusing, but we really want people to be as safe as possible with the presence of Covid. Also, you can simply stay in your pew while people receive Communion if you're not comfortable receiving.
Still have questions?
You can email our Church Office ([email protected]) and we'll try to answer your questions as soon as possible. You can also watch one of our service online (see the most recent ones here). This may give you an idea of what Episcopal worship at St. Michael's is like.
You can email our Church Office ([email protected]) and we'll try to answer your questions as soon as possible. You can also watch one of our service online (see the most recent ones here). This may give you an idea of what Episcopal worship at St. Michael's is like.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We humbly acknowledge the ancestral and contemporary homelands of the Indigenous peoples of Eastern Kentucky: the Adena and Hopewell Cultures, the Eastern Band of Cherokee, the Chickasaw, the Osage, and the Shawnee people - the traditional custodians of the land on which we are worshiping today. We honor and recognize the Indigenous peoples who lived and live on this land. We recognize and lament the church’s part in the colonialism and oppression of Native peoples, and we commit to action and awareness of our historical and current participation.
St. Michael's Good News Gardens
We've created our Good News Gardens: various areas around our grounds developed to invite people to stop, to pay attention, to reflect and pray, and to learn. Learn more here.
