Welcome
Who We Are
St. Augustine by-the-Sea Episcopal Church is a vibrant, spiritually-engaged community of children and elders, singles and families, with an array of sexual and gender identities. We are a mix of lifelong Christians, recent converts, seekers, questioners and people from a wide range of religious, non-religious, interfaith and denominational backgrounds. We understand Jesus to be calling us all into a deeper, loving relationship with God and into loving service to one another.
The St. Augustine's community believes in following the teachings of Jesus Christ, whose life, death and resurrection saves the world. Scripture reveals that God loves each and every one of us, as we are, with no exceptions. As such, St. Augustine's is LGBTQIA+ welcoming and affirming.
Everyone is on a journey, growing into God with all the twists and turns, steps backward and forward and around the bend. We understand that God is at work in our questions, doubts and curiosity, and we embrace the paradox of knowing and not knowing at the same time.
Wherever you are on your spiritual journey, you are welcome here.
I came to St As at odds with my cultural upbringing. I was awestruck to find a spiritual home that reconciles my rational, scientific self with my faith. I am allowed to question my relationship with Christ as opposed to having it dictated to me. In doing this I have been pulled into a deeper relationship with the community and God.
Weddings & Funerals
Weddings
Our doors are open to couples interested in having one of our priests marry them, whether the couple is church-going or not. We welcome interfaith, same-gender and people who have been previously married. Our only requirements are that: at least one of the two be baptized (in any Christian tradition): and we do several sessions of premarital counseling together to explo…
Read More »Baptisms
Babies, children, and adults, are joyfully invited to be baptized! When we welcome you into a new life in Christ through baptism you become a part of the worldwide and eternal Body of Christ, the community of Christians worldwide, and a member of our congregation.
Our clergy prepare teens and adults for their baptisms and there is also simple preparation for parents, godparents a…
Read More »Blessing Ceremonies
Blessings during Worship
We regularly bless people celebrating birthdays and anniversaries on first Sunday of each month during both the Sunday 8 and 10:30am services. And once a year, during the 10:30am service, we have the following special blessings:
Blessing of the Animals (St. Francis Day) - First Sunday of October
Blessing of Backpacks - Beginning of September
Blessing of Boogi…
Read More »Arts & Performances
A highlight of our music program are annual concerts and events, typically during Advent as well as prior to Holy Week and Easter. In recent years St. Augustine's Chamber Singers have performed Fauré's Requiem, Morten Lauridsen's Lux Aeterna, and John-Kevin Hilbert's Beatitudes.
St. A's also welcomes local orchestras, chorales, musical ensembles, and other performance groups to h…
Read More »History of St. A's
Our roots go back to 1875, when Episcopalians in Santa Monica formed a new congregation, just as the city itself was taking shape, but it took many years to raise the $3000 necessary to build the wooden gothic-style church they envisioned. Thanks to the railroad price wars Santa Monica's economy boomed and the town grew to 1500 permanent residents. A brick church began going up, …
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