About Us

We believe that God loves us all – no exceptions.

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FAQs

The Episcopal Church is a descendant of the Church of England and the Scottish Episcopal Church. We are members of the Anglican Communion, a worldwide affiliation of churches that share a common heritage and use some version of the Book of Common Prayer in our worship.

The Anglican Communion is the third largest group of Christians in the world.

We believe every person is precious, made in God’s image.

We believe in a God of creation, redemption, and constant presence and love.

Baptism is the beginning or initiation of a new life in Christ.

Holy Baptism is the sacrament by which God adopts us as his children and makes us members of Christ’s body, the Church.

For more information on baptism, contact us.

Yes. Can divorced or remarried people receive communion in The Episcopal Church?

Yes. The Episcopal Church believes marriage is a sacrament intended to be life-long, but also recognizes circumstances can exist where a divorce is necessary and even healthy.

The Episcopal Church honors an individual’s right to make an informed decision about their bodies.

The church is a pro-choice denomination and belongs to the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice.

We have a legacy of inclusion, aspiring to tell and exemplify God’s love for every human being. Ordination and the offices of bishop, priest, and deacon are open to all without discrimination.

Laypeople and clergy cooperate as leaders at all levels of our church. Leadership is a gift from God and can be expressed by all people in our church, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression.

History

The first Episcopal worship services in Oil City were held in 1862, in rented rooms in Oil City’s Third Ward.

Our first building was constructed on East First Street and served the community from 1870 until 1887. Our current church building held its first worship service on Easter Sunday, 1887. The classic Gothic Revival building was designed by E. A. Curtis of Fredonia, New York, who also designed the National Transit Building in Oil City.

Our adjoining social hall, Kapp Hall, was opened in 1905 and serves as a venue for many community activities.

Christ Episcopal Church Exterior image