About Our Church
Who is St. Andrew?
Most Christians know the name of St. Andrew, but how many actually know the man behind the name? The New Testament reveals he was St. Peter's brother. Also, he was the son of Jonah/John, as well as a disciple of John the Baptist.
Andrew immediately recognized Jesus as the Messiah, and quickly introduced his brother to him. Afterward, the two remained Disciples of Christ. The Gospel refers to St. Andrew as one of the Disciples more closely attached to Jesus. He was martyred by crucifixion at Patras in Achea.
Before Peter and Andrew joined Christ in his Ministry, they were both fishermen by trade. Jesus consistently referred to Andrew and Peter as 'fishers of men'.
Information provided by Temi, Youth Representative
About the Vicar
Fr. Paul Williams was born in High Point, North Carolina, and raised as a Southern Baptist. He was first introduced to the Episcopal Church as a college student at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill at The Chapel of the Cross (which was across the street from his fraternity house) where he found himself using the Book of Common Prayer on late nights after studying. After several years in the corporate travel business in the Southeast, he went through the Ordination Discernment Process in the Diocese of Atlanta from his home parish of All Saints, Atlanta. He then attended The General Theological Seminary in New York City (where Bishop Breidenthal was one of his professors) and graduated in 1996. He was first called to serve at the Church of Holy Trinity in New York City from 1996-2001, and then at Christ Episcopal Church in Bloomfield/Glen Ridge, New Jersey from 2001-2006. After spending a 2-year sabbatical in Switzerland with his partner who took an overseas assignment in a Swiss bank, he joined us here at St. Andrew's in June of 2008.
About the Book of Common Prayer (BCP)
The Book of Common Prayer that Fr. Paul referred to above is in the pews of the Episcopal Church. Episcopalians use the Book of Common Prayer to worship God. It is a collection of prayers used in the liturgy which provides Episcopalians with a worship that is systemic, uplifting, and well written. The American Book of Common Prayer is the latest edition in the American Church which was taken from the British Book of Common Prayer in 1662. That 1662 Prayer Book, was itself, a later edition of the first Book of Common Prayer of 1549 which consolidated numerous Mass books, Prayer books, and other liturgical literature. The 1549 Book of Common Prayer was important because it was the first to use the spoken language and put the prayers of the Church into the hands of the people. The Book of Common Prayer has sacramental services (ordination, confirmation, marriage, baptism, burial rites, and others), morning and evening prayers, and special services for major feast days (Christmas, Palm Sunday, Lent, Easter, and others). It also has all Psalms (the Psalter), Holy Days and the Lectionary. The Lectionary helps readers read the Bible in two years. The Book of Common Prayer also containts the historical documents of the Church.
Information supplied by Alexis, Youth Representative
History of St. Andrew's
Under the guidance of The Rev. Timothy Carberry, Rector of St. Alban's in Bexley, the Brotherhood of St. Andrew's began to plan a new mission in the Pickerington area. On September 15th, 1985, The Rev. T. Conrad Selnick, Assistant Rector at St. Alban's, celebrated the first service with twenty eight worshippers at Epiphany Lutheran Church in Pickerington. In April of 1988, The Rt. Rev. William Black appointed Rev. Selnick as organizing pastor. After Rev. Selnick accepted a new call in 1990, The Rev. Stephen Williamson was appointed Vicar in January 1991 by The Rt. Rev. Herbert Thompson, Jr.
In April of 1993, the property at 8630 Refugee Road was purchased. Renovations converted this to worship, office and classroom space. A joint service was held with the congregation of Epiphany Lutheran Church on August 21st, 1994 which began at Epiphany Lutheran Church and moved to the new site on Refugee Road. In November of 1994, Rev. Williamson was called to a new ministry and The Rev. Karen Burnard began serving as Vicar of St. Andrew's on March 12th, 1995. One hundred fifty-five people gathered for the Dedication and Consecration of a Church, and the Celebration of a New Ministry, on November 5th, 1995.
Yet again, the congregation felt the need of a larger worship and classroom space, and so the construction of a large addition to the original building began in the Fall of 1999. By June of 2000, the congregation was able to worship in their new sanctuary. The Dedication and Consecration of the new worship area was held in the Fall of 2000.
In 2005, the congregation celebrated the 20th Anniversary of St. Andrew's.
In the Spring of 2006, Rev. Burnard accepted a call to Holy Trinity in Oxford, Ohio.
On June 15th, 2008, The Rev. Paul B. Williams celebrated his first service as newly appointed Vicar and was formally installed on September 14th, 2008, Holy Cross Day, by the Rt. Rev. Thomas E. Breidenthal, Bishop of Southern Ohio and Fr. Williams' Seminary Professor.
The effects of Hurricane Ike which hit the same day have been repaired in some way.
We celebrated our 25th Anniversary on September 12th, 2010. Please look at our Art/Photos Page for photos and more information.
