Paula Merritt / The Meridian StarLabyrinth in the memorial garden at Church of the Mediator.

Episcopal Church of the Mediator in Meridian is filled with nearly 150 years of history.

The church was founded twice – with the first church being built in 1867 at 24th Ave. and 9th St. In 1911 the church merged with St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, which it had founded. It was re-founded in 1949 by St. Paul’s Church in an unused Air Force Chapel located at Key Field. In 1952 the building was cut into four sections and moved to the current location at 31st Street and 38th Avenue. A “new” church was built and the first service was held Easter Sunday, 1961.

Worship and music have always been an important ministry. The parish embraced “high church” worship at its re-founding, but did not hesitate to explore renewal music in the 70s and 80s under the leadership of the Rev. A.C. “Chip” Marble Jr. who was later elected the Episcopal Bishop of Mississippi. 

The first pipe organ was purchased in Germany and moved to Meridian by the Wuyestefeld family. The current hybrid, pipe and digital, organ was dedicated Wednesday, Oct. 26.

Theological education for laity has been a high priority. In the 80s the parish embraced the four-year theology and reflection course – “Education for Ministry,” overseen from St. Luke’s Seminary in Sewanee, Tenn. Over the last three decades dozens of people from within and without the parish have completed the four year course. The church’s “Seeds of Faith” series has also hosted many exciting speakers including John Shelby Spong, John Dominic Crossan, Marcus Borg and Margaret Guenther to it’s “Seeds of Faith” conferences.

Welcoming all God’s people has been an important ministry of the Church of the Mediator as it has been for the Episcopal Church nationally. Under the leadership of the Rev. Mike Dobrowsky in the late 90s a spiritual support group for LGBTQ people called Integrity began, not without controversy. The church is also an intentional haven for those who desire the room to question traditional answers and explore spiritually freely. While the wealth of scripture and tradition is both honored and celebrated both in worship and theology, people choose to participate freely according to their conscience without pressure or coercion.

The church is very well known for its annual barbecue fundraiser which takes place this year on Saturday, Nov. 12. All proceeds go to assist and care for people outside the church. 

Sunday, Dec. 4 Church of the Mediator will welcome the Rev. Morris Thompson III as its new Priest-In-Charge. He is currently the curate (assistant priest) at St. Paul’s in Columbus. Thompson was trained at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Va. He moves here with his wife, Emily, and 1-year-old son Mack. The couple are expecting a baby daughter in January. The Rev. John M. Hamilton, is the Interim Priest-in-Charge until Oct. 31.

Church facts

Name: Episcopal Church of the Mediator 

Location: 3831 35th Ave., Meridian, MS 39305

Contact: (601) 483-3959; ecmediator@comcast.net.

Services:

Sunday – 8 a.m. – Traditional Language Communion Service with Sermon, no music.

Sunday – 10:30 a.m. – Contemporary Language Choral Communion Service with Sermon.

Wednesday – 5:30 p.m. – Contemporary Language Healing Communion Service with Homily.

Weekly Programs:

Sunday – 9:30 a.m. – Sunday School for Children and Youth.

Sunday – 9:15 a.m. – Adult Christian Education.

Sunday Evening – Youth Programs – Please consult parish calendar.

Mondays 5:30 p.m. – Contemplative Prayer with Instruction, in the Adult Room of the Parish House.

Monday – 6 p.m. – Prayer Shawl Knitting Group, in the Nursery of the Christian Ed. Building.

Tuesday 6 p.m. – Education for Ministry, Registration begins late Spring.

Wednesday 11:45 a.m. – Prayer Shawl Knitting Group, parlour, Parish House.

Wednesday – 6 p.m. – Parish meal.

Wednesday – 6:30 p.m. – Children’s choir rehearsal.

Wednesday – 7 p.m. – Adult choir rehearsal.

Thursday – 5:30 p.m. – Contemplative prayer in silence, no instruction, Adult Room of the Parish House.

If you would like to nominate your worship site for a profle, email Cheryl Owens at cowens@themeridianstar.com.