St. Thomas Episcopal Church Dedication, August 13, 1989

On November 20, 1977 at the Oriental, NC home of Grace and David Evans, the Reverend John Q. Beckwith celebrated the Eucharist with twelve Episcopalians. This was the beginning of St. Thomas Episcopal Church. As the small congregation grew, services were held in a variety of places, including people's homes, the Oriental Yacht Club, and even on a sailboat. 

The new congregation's name, St. Thomas, was chosen to continue the tradition of the first Episcopal church in Oriental. The original St. Thomas Episcopal Church was located across the street from our current location until the structure burned down in the 1920s. 

On February 10, 1978, St. Thomas was received as a parish by the Diocese of Eastern North Carolina and the search began for a permanent home. Due to an increase in membership, services were being held at Oriental Town Hall. 

In the summer of 1980 the present site was purchased and our beautiful sanctuary was completed in 1989. Twelve years later, the parish purchased a private home behind and adjacent to the church. Referred to as "The Green House," it provides space for outside groups to meet and is used by the Hope Clinic as a mobile location.