Welcome!
St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church is located near downtown Concord, California at the corner of Bonifacio and Esperanza. St Michael's is a member of the Episcopal Church of the United States as well as the world wide Anglican Community of Christians. It is one of the 81 congregations within the Diocese of California.
The Episcopal Church strives to live by the message of Christ, in which there are no outcasts and all are welcome. Walking a middle way between Roman Catholicism and Protestant traditions, we are a sacramental and worship-oriented church that promotes thoughtful debate about what God is calling us to do and be, as followers of Christ.
History of St Michael and All Angels
The first Episcopal congregation in Concord began in September of 1944, with Saturday Church School and evening services at the home of one of the members. The number of people attending these services grew and the budding community began holding Sunday Evensong services in the Lutheran Church. As the mission grew, the commanding officer at Port Chicago, joined the church group and was approached about using the hall in the Naval Housing Project for Sunday Services. Soon after, a petition was made to the Diocese of California to accept the newly formed Concord Episcopal community as a mission of the Diocese. St. Michael and All Angels' was the name given to our mission. The first vicar of the mission took up residence on January 19, 1947.
Plans for a permanent church soon got under way, spearheaded by the first Warden of the mission. Dedicated loving hands of parishioners built the new church building and the first service was celebrated in November 1948.
St. Michael and All Angels' became a Parish at the 1955 Annual Convention at Grace Cathedral. The dedication of our Church building was held on September 24, 1957. The Church School Building was added in 1961. Renovation to the Parish Hall and School Building were completed in 2000.
Today we have a thriving community which celebrates at two services from October through June:
· The 9 AM is a contemporary service accompanied by guitar, piano and choir. This service is oriented toward families with young children. We gather around the altar for the Eucharistic Prayer and Communion and the children are encouraged to participate in the service as readers, acolytes and gift bearers. Additionally, rhythm instruments are available for all to use.
· The 11 AM is a traditional service, accompanied by piano, organ and choir. The music is from the hymn books. The Eucharistic prayer is said or sung, at the preference of the celebrant. Incense is used only on special holy days.
