CARLSBAD — Carlsbad Mayor Matt Hall will present a city proclamation to St. Michael’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church Nov. 17 in honor of its 125th anniversary. The public is invited to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the first church in Carlsbad and learn about Carlsbad history. Founded in 1894, St. Michael’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, at 2775 Carlsbad Blvd., is hosting “A Neighborhood Celebration” from 2 to 4 p.m.
Susan Gutierrez of the Carlsbad Historical Society will present a slideshow on Carlsbad’s history and the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego’s new bishop, The Rt. Rev. Susan Brown Snook, will offer a spiritual perspective on the importance of St. Michael’s legacy. An English afternoon tea reception follows, accompanied by live old-time folk music by The Clinton Davis Quartet.
During the reception, the church’s 125-year-old chapel will be open for viewing and will contain artifacts from early Carlsbad history. Parishioner and Carlsbad Historical Society member Virginia Unanue will be in period costume and guide visitors through the chapel. A horse-drawn buggy (previously owned by early Carlsbad resident Florence Shipley and passed down to her daughter, Florence Shipley Magee) will be on site, providing an opportunity for photos.
For more information and to RSVP to this free event, visit stmbts.org/125years. St. Michael’s By-the-Sea Episcopal Church is the oldest, and was, for many years, the only church in Carlsbad. The historic chapel, old St. Michael’s, was built in 1894 and is one of the four oldest buildings in the village. Both the 1894 chapel and the 1959 church building are used for services throughout the week.
