St. Thomas Episcopal Church marks 140 years of faith and community

By Jenny Harnish, RealWV

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va — Elizabeth Walker grew up attending St. Thomas Episcopal Church in White Sulphur Springs. Her entire family — grandparents, parents, aunts, and uncles — attended, and she was baptized, confirmed, and then later ordained at the church. 

She is now the rector of the church, which is celebrating 140 years of existence this year. The current building is 95 years old this year; it was consecrated on Oct. 11, 1931.

“The church began on the grounds of The Greenbrier, which was then called The Old White Resort,” Walker explained. “The guests would come for the season — they would bring their butlers and maids and nannies and chefs, and they wanted a place to worship. We were on the grounds from 1886 to 1930.”

In 1930, The Greenbrier decided they wanted to expand, and they decided to move the church. The new church, which stands today, was outfitted with all the furnishings and liturgical furnishings from the old building. 

“The altar, the pulpit, the organ, the baptismal font, stained glass windows — all those things came out of the old church,” Walker said. 

The small congregation includes Walker’s godmother, who is in her 90s. The church hosts three weekly AA meetings and the Lions Club. Its adjoining parish hall holds bazaars, services, and private gatherings like birthday and anniversary parties.

For the past four years, St. Thomas has offered a free community dinner on the third Monday of each month. A quilting ministry called Quilted Blessings makes quilts for flood victims and people in nursing homes.

“We have a long history here and a lot of people do,” Walker said.  “We are a welcoming and kind congregation — we’re very inclusive. All people are children of God regardless of who they are, who they love, how they work, what color they are — it doesn’t matter. All are God’s children, and they are welcome here.”