St. Mary's Episcopal Church
An Open-mided and Vibrant Faith. Genuine Service to Others. Real Community
The church manages this profile directly.
About Us
A vibrant , welcoming, growing inter-generational church made up of members from numerous and diverse faith traditions, and some from none at all. We are an inclusive community of faith, deeply engaged in the city of Anchorage, the state and diocese of Alaska, and in mission partnership with sister churches in Malawi, Africa. We have programs of lifelong learning for all ages, nursery through elders. Our main Sunday services are at 9am (with choir and pipe organ) and 11:30am (with jangly guitars). Children's Chapel, Sunday School, Fellowship and study groups, Youth Activities, and much more! At St. Mary's, all are welcome, and all means ALL!
- Vibe
- Traditional Liturgy, Creative, Down to Earth, Spirit-filled, Friendly, Progressive, Gay affirming, Inclusive, Multigenerational, Young, Young families, Lots of kids
- Programs
- Community Service, Social Justice, Faith and Work, Addiction/Recovery, Young Adults, Youth Group, Choir, Missions, Yoga/Meditation, Nursery, Adult Education, Food Pantry, Preschool, Children's Ministry
- Music
- Traditional Hymns, Contemporary, Organ
- Denomination
- Episcopal
- Networks
- Size
- Large
- Language
- English
- Founded
- 1954
Contact Information
Our Services
Service Times
- Sunday
-
- 09:00am
- Sunday - 08:00am - With Choir and organ / piano; in Main Sanctuary, service includes Holy Communion
- 08:00am
- Sunday - 08:00am - Small, traditional "Rite I" service with no music, held in our Chapel Sept. - May, and in the main Sanctuary June - August
- 11:30am
- Along with the 9am service, this is one of our two main Sunday morning services, with "Brush Arbor" music (jangly acoustic guitars, flute, piano) , Children's chapel, and coffee and donuts fellowship following.
- 04:00pm
- Quiet, meditative service in the main Sanctuary, no music.
What to Expect
Leadership
Michael Burke
The Rev. Michael Burke, along with the pastoral and program team of The Rev. Dr. Ted Cole, Jr, and Rev. Sara Gavit, welcome you to St. Mary's. Michael graduated in 1995 with a Masters of Divinity with distinction from Colgate Rochester Divinity School / Bexley Hall, He has previously served churches in New York, is married to Nancy Burke, a social worker with the AK Mental Health Trust, and together they are the parents of a teenage daughter and college-aged son. They are partial to Dalmatians.Location & Directions
What Members Say
Cathy shared their experience Dec 2012
I love st. Marys because I feel t home here. I am welcomed with open arms any time I am able to attend, and when I am not, no one looks askanse at me. I am acceptable just the way I am, whether I am walking well or stumbling about struggling with balance issues. My gifts are appreciated and used. Everyone is a valued part of every service and program. This church is full of love and acceptance. You can be boisterous or shy and still fit in perectly and feel right at home; be a lay reader or sit quietly in the back, You are still one of 'us' and everybody knows your name. If they don't they just ask.(maybe many times if they have the memory problems I do). We care for each other because He first cared for us.
Valerie shared their experience Nov 2012
I love St. Mary's because it has been my road back to church and a faith community. After years of feeling driven away from church because it seemed to me that many churches spent most of their energy being fans of Jesus and not followers (that line is not mine, but I really like it). Here at St. Mary's we try to follow Jesus and live as he did by example. We have a very active food pantry, welcome all persons, work in our communitiy to help those less able to help themselves and offer a helping hand and words of encouragement. After church I always feel more connected to God and that we are all a part of something far greater then ourselves.
Marcy shared their experience Nov 2012
St. Mary's says all are welcome...and they actually mean it. Questions are encouraged. Individuals and diversity are celebrated. Everyone's path is their own and that is respected. Liturgical basically means lots of ritual, which is comforting to some and intimidating if it's your first time through the door. It doesn't take long before it becomes familiar and no longer intimidating. Despite the liturgy, St. Mary's doesn't take itself too seriously. The Praise Singers at the 11:30 service are the BEST! I am so thankful for this faith family!
Go here? Tell us why you love St. Mary's Episcopal Church. Visited? Tell us what a newcomer can expect.
