Established 1875
Bishop Seabury Anglican Church is a community of Christ followers who seek to know Jesus and make Him known. Our vision is to be the visible presence of God’s hope and healing for our community by glorifying God through reverent and joyful worship, and transforming lives through the faithful proclamation of God’s Word.
The first services that led to the establishment of a mission in Groton, known as St. Paul's, were held by the Rev. R.M. Duff, of St. James Church in New London on the Wednesday evenings in Lent 1874. Regular afternoon services were held until October of the same year at which time the Rev. Milledge Walker (18th Sunday Trinity to Lent 1876) was appointed in charge of the mission.
Through the Rev. Walker’s efforts, funds were obtained and the Missionary Society of the Diocese of Connecticut permitted the building of a suitable edifice. Plans were drawn up by the missionary society, and the ground was broken on July 20, 1875. On Christmas evening of 1875, the first service was held in the church building this is the day we mark as our founding. Previously the congregation had worshiped in Mechanic’s Hall, where the Borough Post Office now stands.
The Rev. Ferdinand Taunt (1876 to 1878) headed the mission. An outstanding debt of $1,750.00 was paid during the incumbency of the Rev. H.T. Gregory (1878 to 1882) in June 1881, which made it possible for the church to be consecrated on Tuesday, September 13, 1881. Bishop Williams, in memory of the Rt. Rev. Samuel Seabury, D. D., the first Bishop of the American Church and the Diocese of Connecticut, consecrated the church. Bishop Seabury was born in Groton, in the Ledyard Section, on September 30, 1729.
The following clergy served at Bishop Seabury Church; the Rev. Orlando P. Starkey (1882 to 1885), the Rev. X. Alanson Welton (1894 to 1896), the Rev. Theodore M. Peck (1896 to 1898), the Rev. Paul Hoffman (1898 to 1901), several priests in charge (1901 to 1909), the Rev. C.S.M. Stewart (1909 to 1918), and the Rev. Frederick William Haist (1918 to 1929).
The Rev. Arnold A. Fenton (1929 to 1934) came to the church in 1929 as the Priest-in-Charge. He had been called to Groton soon after being ordained to the priesthood at St. James in Riverton, Wyoming, before a congregation of mostly Arapahoe Indians. The Rev. Fenton served before Bishop Seabury Memorial Church in Groton and St. Johns in Niantic until 1934.
The Rev. Clarence Wagner (1934 to 1955) was priest in charge for twenty years. St. John’s in Niantic was also a part of his duties, as was his chaplain work with Connecticut College and the Women’s Prison in Niantic. Eventually, due to poor health, he resigned from Bishop Seabury and devoted his full-time to St. John’s.
For a brief period Bishop Seabury Church was under the leadership of the Rev. Donald W. Greene, until a new vicar, was called in 1955.
The Rev. Roger G. Dissell (1955 to 1959) became the first full-time pastor in over 25 years. His arrival coincided with remarkable developments in submarine building, which led to the growth of Groton. The church grew as well, and sought full Parochial Status. This status was granted and Bishop Seabury Church became a parish with the Diocesan Convention after eighty years as a mission. Fr. Dissell officiated at this concluding service at Bishop Seabury Church on Easter Day in 1959, having accepted a call to a post in San Francisco, California.
During the term of the Rev. Robert Dresser (1959 to 1965) at Bishop Seabury, the decision to seek a new site for a future church was made. The building on Fort Street, in Groton, had served many parish families and space was needed. Land on Hazelwood Hill, off Rt. 117, was purchased, a Cross erected and the boundaries marked in appropriate ceremonies. Several outdoor services were held at this location. It was later decided to build at that location.
The Rev. Robert Watson (1965 to 1975) was called and served until he was later called to a parish in Maryland. In the time of his service to Bishop Seabury Church, the ceremonies for the cornerstone laying for the new church were held in 1967.
The Venerable Ronald S. Gauss, Archdeacon (1975 to 2015) arrived after being called from St. Paul-on-the-Plains, in Lubbock, Texas. Under Fr. Gauss’s leadership, Bishop Seabury experienced unprecedented growth and spiritual renewal as he demonstrated to the congregation how to “know Jesus and make Him known.” A new sanctuary in Groton was completed in November 1998. By unanimous congregational vote in 2007, Seabury Anglican left the Episcopal Church and become affiliated with the Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA), now known as Anglican Diocese of the Living Word. As part of that transition, Bishop Seabury lost its property and building. The last service at that location was on August 5, 2012. The congregation then met in several locations including the Gales Ferry Landing, a former public school. Fr. Gauss retired on July 1, 2015, and is enjoying his retirement with his wife, Jo Anne, in South Carolina.
The Venerable Jerome (Jay) R. Cayangyang (July 1, 2015 to present) was called to be the next rector of Bishop Seabury Anglican Church in February 2015 and arrived at the church in July 2015. Father Jay was officially installed as the rector by the Right Reverend Julian M. Dobbs, on July 17, 2015. Under his leadership, the church moved into its current location on Hurlbutt Road.