Canonized in 1161, Saint Edward the Confessor was one of the last Anglo-Saxon kings of England. He reigned from 1042 to 1066. Centuries later, in 1981, St. Edward's Episcopal Church was formed in East Hempfield Township. With 120 people in attendance, the first service of the newly formed mission was held on Sept. 13, 1981, at the International Molders and Allied Workers Union Hall, located at 921 Nissley Road, Lancaster. The construction of the present church building at 2453 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster, occurred between 1984 and 1990. The groundbreaking service was held on March 5, 1989. To meet the demands of a growing community, a new parish hall was built in 2005.

On Sept. 12, St. Edward's Episcopal Church celebrated 40 years of serving the East Hempfield Township community. The event began around 10 a.m. with a service led by the Rev. Richard C. Bauer and two prior rectors of St. Edward's: the Rev. Timothy K. Small and the Rev. Aaron B. Zull. The service was followed by a lunch outside while a jazz trio performed. Bauer noted that more than 125 people attended the event.

"I mean, I was pretty blown away," stated Bauer. "It was the first time since I (became rector at St. Edward's) at the beginning of COVID where we had that many of our parishioners together. Our sanctuary was whole. It was really special."

There are 10 episcopal churches in the Lancaster convocation, and the oldest turns 300 this year. "In a way, (St. Edward's) is still being born," said Bauer. "We are the youngest in our convocation. We are continuing to work together to build something special."

A chair was kept empty during the lunch in honor of the late Rev. Stephen C. Casey, who served as a rector of the church for 20 years until 2008. Casey died this past January due to complications from COVID-19. Memorial projects donated to the church in honor of Casey will be completed over the next few months. A brand-new organ will be delivered and a stained-glass piece of the Sea of Galilee will be installed. "We will see the fruits of Stephen Casey's memory coming to play in special gifts given by people who want to remember him in a way that is permanent in the church," explained Bauer.

Bauer mentioned that he wants the community to know that St. Edward's is a welcoming place. He said the congregation proclaims a loving and merciful God and does not leave anyone out.

For more information about St. Edward's Episcopal Church, visit https://sainteds.org or email stedsoffice@comcast.net.