The first post Club-Era houses were built on Jekyll Island in the 1960's. The first church built was the Presbyterian followed in order by the Methodist and the Baptist. In 1988 the Methodists added the Fellowship Hall.

The first Episcopalians to take up Island residence worshiped at St. Marks Church in Brunswick where Father Talbot Morgan was the Priest. Then, as more and more of us came to the Island the desire arose for own own church. Initially, meetings were held in homes, and finally, at a dinner held in the Corsair Motel the decision was made to pursue our own identity.

Father Morgan, who did not want to lose Jekyll Island parishoners, was less than encouraging in our efforts. Nevertheless, in 1970 permission was given by the Diocese of Georgia to begin a mission on Jekyll Island, and the small group began their work, headed by Helen Yeager and Marie Caldwell.

The first records noted that in 1970 St. Richards began to meet in the Methodist church for a sum of $15 rent to be paid each week. We continue to worship there to this day albeit on somewhat different terms.

Father Wright was the first priest, followed by Father West, Father South , Father Huff, Charles Hay, Ray Worthington, Tim Murphy and Tony Powell, our present Vicar. The beginning families in the church, still represented today, were Gross, Horton, Mitchell, McDowell, Packer, Poleszak, Steffan and Wigg. The winter members were Wright and Doughty.

Ours is a history of determination and love for the Church, but this is only the beginning of the story. The future of St. Richards is in all our hands.

Click on the link below to display a document compiled in 1987 describing our "Beginnings" at that point in time.

"Beginnings" compiled 1987