In the valley since 1904
History of the Episcopal Presence in the Platte Valley
The cities of Scottsbluff and Gering are separated by the North Platte River. Gering became a town site in 1887, and was named the county seat for the newly designated Scotts Bluff County. During those early years, a missionary by the name of George Allen Beecher, who headquartered out of Ft. Sidney, about 80 miles east, would travel on a circuit. This brought him to Gering and Scottsbluff where services held in the homes of early settlers and in buildings borrowed for such purposes.
There had been few attempts at services since both towns had started. In 1904, the parishioners of Gering erected a small church building. Services were held in Gering and Scottsbluff by a number of missionaries. In 1910, the Bishop sent Mr. Henry Ives to establish a mission. On Sunday, August 28, 1910, Mr. Ives held his first services at the chapel in Gering. George Beecher became Bishop of the Missionary District of Western Nebraska and in 1936, dedicated the church in honor of St. Timothy.
A great deal is owed to Henry Ives for starting the mission in Scottsbluff and for writing down his account of it in the records. Ives’ first regular services at St. Andrew’s Mission, was on Sunday, November 13, 1910. Bishop Graves probably chose this name as being the next saint on the Calendar. Within months, the congregation grew and by 1920, St. Andrew’s became a self-supporting parish. The current site of the church was purchased and the first service held in the new building was in 1922 on Christmas Eve.
Two Separate Parishes
For many years both churches in the Valley flourished. St. Timothy’s had moved from a total ministry concept emphasizing baptismal ministry as its foundation. The worship style favored liturgical expression with Rite II at most services. In 1993, St. Timothy’s became part of a cluster with Holy Apostles’ Church of Mitchell, Nebraska. Mounting costs along with a decline in participation made it difficult to sustain programs and outreach endeavors. St. Timothy’s experienced an increase in clergy turnover and a lengthy search process for a rector. After much discussion, the congregation of St. Timothy’s Church prayerfully made the decision to merge with St. Andrew’s Church in Scottsbluff.
A Single New Parish -- St. Francis!
Again, with much prayer, Father Kelsey Hogue was called to St. Andrew’s in 2006 with the vision of combining these two historic parishes.
The first joint worship service of the new parish was held at St. Andrew’s on September 10, 2006. That day members of St. Andrew’s welcomed the people of St. Timothy’s at the North Platte River Bridge with a joyful greeting of balloons, banners, and welcome signs. The two congregations proceeded to the church and shared Holy Communion together for the first time followed by a festive celebration. After much collaborative work and many prayerful meetings, on January 13, 2007 Bishop Joe Burnett formally changed the name of the patron saint and rededicated the new parish as St. Francis Episcopal Church.
St. Francis is a friendly, open, faithful Episcopal parish committed to serving the people of our church and our community. We love Jesus, we love each other, and we try hard to follow the teachings of our namesake, St. Francis of Assisi, who gave up family riches to engage with the world as a servant. We don't believe there are many absolutes in the church, and there is really no barrier to being a member here or in the Episcopal Church generally, except a desire to worship God and serve Christ in others.
We worship in a liturgical style, using the 1979 Book of Common Prayer which, according to the National Church, "is a treasure chest full of devotional and teaching resources for individuals and congregations, but it is also the primary symbol of our unity. We, who are many and diverse, come together in Christ through our worship, our common prayer." You can find an online version of the 1979 BCP here.
We have four types of ministers -- laity (the largest), deacons, priests, and bishops. All are expected to participate fully in the call to pray, worship, and serve. Weekly worship contains hymnody/music, reading of scripture, sermon, prayers, blessings, and communion. We recognize and celebrate seven sacraments -- baptism, holy communion, confirmation, marriage, ministry to the sick, reconciliation, and ordination.
Episcopal churches typically welcome people from all walks of life, and our parish is no different. We have diversity in our thought and in our people, so no one should feel less than what they are -- fully human and beloved in the eyes of God and of the church.
The cities of Scottsbluff and Gering are separated by the North Platte River. Gering became a town site in 1887, and was named the county seat for the newly designated Scotts Bluff County. During those early years, a missionary by the name of George Allen Beecher, who headquartered out of Ft. Sidney, about 80 miles east, would travel on a circuit. This brought him to Gering and Scottsbluff where services held in the homes of early settlers and in buildings borrowed for such purposes.
There had been few attempts at services since both towns had started. In 1904, the parishioners of Gering erected a small church building. Services were held in Gering and Scottsbluff by a number of missionaries. In 1910, the Bishop sent Mr. Henry Ives to establish a mission. On Sunday, August 28, 1910, Mr. Ives held his first services at the chapel in Gering. George Beecher became Bishop of the Missionary District of Western Nebraska and in 1936, dedicated the church in honor of St. Timothy.
A great deal is owed to Henry Ives for starting the mission in Scottsbluff and for writing down his account of it in the records. Ives’ first regular services at St. Andrew’s Mission, was on Sunday, November 13, 1910. Bishop Graves probably chose this name as being the next saint on the Calendar. Within months, the congregation grew and by 1920, St. Andrew’s became a self-supporting parish. The current site of the church was purchased and the first service held in the new building was in 1922 on Christmas Eve.
Two Separate Parishes
For many years both churches in the Valley flourished. St. Timothy’s had moved from a total ministry concept emphasizing baptismal ministry as its foundation. The worship style favored liturgical expression with Rite II at most services. In 1993, St. Timothy’s became part of a cluster with Holy Apostles’ Church of Mitchell, Nebraska. Mounting costs along with a decline in participation made it difficult to sustain programs and outreach endeavors. St. Timothy’s experienced an increase in clergy turnover and a lengthy search process for a rector. After much discussion, the congregation of St. Timothy’s Church prayerfully made the decision to merge with St. Andrew’s Church in Scottsbluff.
A Single New Parish -- St. Francis!
Again, with much prayer, Father Kelsey Hogue was called to St. Andrew’s in 2006 with the vision of combining these two historic parishes.
The first joint worship service of the new parish was held at St. Andrew’s on September 10, 2006. That day members of St. Andrew’s welcomed the people of St. Timothy’s at the North Platte River Bridge with a joyful greeting of balloons, banners, and welcome signs. The two congregations proceeded to the church and shared Holy Communion together for the first time followed by a festive celebration. After much collaborative work and many prayerful meetings, on January 13, 2007 Bishop Joe Burnett formally changed the name of the patron saint and rededicated the new parish as St. Francis Episcopal Church.
St. Francis is a friendly, open, faithful Episcopal parish committed to serving the people of our church and our community. We love Jesus, we love each other, and we try hard to follow the teachings of our namesake, St. Francis of Assisi, who gave up family riches to engage with the world as a servant. We don't believe there are many absolutes in the church, and there is really no barrier to being a member here or in the Episcopal Church generally, except a desire to worship God and serve Christ in others.
We worship in a liturgical style, using the 1979 Book of Common Prayer which, according to the National Church, "is a treasure chest full of devotional and teaching resources for individuals and congregations, but it is also the primary symbol of our unity. We, who are many and diverse, come together in Christ through our worship, our common prayer." You can find an online version of the 1979 BCP here.
We have four types of ministers -- laity (the largest), deacons, priests, and bishops. All are expected to participate fully in the call to pray, worship, and serve. Weekly worship contains hymnody/music, reading of scripture, sermon, prayers, blessings, and communion. We recognize and celebrate seven sacraments -- baptism, holy communion, confirmation, marriage, ministry to the sick, reconciliation, and ordination.
Episcopal churches typically welcome people from all walks of life, and our parish is no different. We have diversity in our thought and in our people, so no one should feel less than what they are -- fully human and beloved in the eyes of God and of the church.