St. Thomas Episcopal Church sits in the heart of Historic Bath and has been an active parish since 1701, 33 years before the construction of the building. In October of 1734, the churchwardens wrote a letter to the Society for the Propagation Of the Gospel in Foreign Parts saying they were building a church at their own cost. With threats to ruin this sacred building, including an 1840 storm blowing off the roof and damaging the interior, restorations along the way have kept this important place intact. We know you will enjoy this very beautiful piece of history.

Welcome to the oldest church building in the state of North Carolina.

cheryl h/TripAdvisor The parish started long before the building in 1701 when a small group began holding services with lay readers in area homes. It was formally accepted into the Diocese of North Carolina In 1823 and consecrated in 1826.

Be sure to examine the old brick walls, which are two feet thick, of Flemish-bond craftsmanship.

Southern Churchman Co., CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons This photo was taken on New Year’s Day in 1908.

The bricks came from England and the mortar is made of oyster-shell lime.

john l /TripAdvisor In addition, the outside of the building celebrates many of Bath’s founding fathers.

Also, clergymen are memorialized, because until the Civil War, St. Thomas was served by at least 15 of them, such as Anglican Minister John Garzia, who served the parish from 1733-1744.

Frank d/TripAdvisor He served as the first rector of the new church, who came from Virginia in 1733.

Another was Alexander Stewart of Scotland, a clergyman from 1753 to 1771 who succeeded Rev. Garzia and was buried under the right side of the chancel.

Frank d/TripAdvisor

And this monument sign goes with the following interesting statue.

cheryl h/TripAdvisor

Ballast rocks were used to add weight to ships with light cargo and prevent them from capsizing.

cheryl h/TripAdvisor Once the ships arrived at their destinations, the crews through the ballast overboard and filled the ships with cargo.

Today, St. Thomas Episcopal Church thrives as an active parish welcoming all to celebrate and worship, including dogs on some special occasions.

St. Thomas Episcopal Church/Facebook

Walk in with reverence looking down at first to consider that some early settlers are buried under the original English tile, said to follow the English custom.

OleMaitred/TripAdvisor

Notice the craftsmanship and old wood in the pews.

cheryl h/TripAdvisor Some preservation and restoration have been made along the way, but many of the features are original.

Immerse yourself in the whole experience by attending church service, offered with the Holy Eucharist every Sunday at 8 and 10 a.m.

St. Thomas Episcopal Church/Facebook

Are you planning to visit the oldest church in North Carolina?  If you go, check out some other discoveries in Historic Bath, including the infamous pirates.

cheryl h/TripAdvisor

The parish started long before the building in 1701 when a small group began holding services with lay readers in area homes. It was formally accepted into the Diocese of North Carolina In 1823 and consecrated in 1826.

Southern Churchman Co., CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

This photo was taken on New Year’s Day in 1908.

john l /TripAdvisor

In addition, the outside of the building celebrates many of Bath’s founding fathers.

Frank d/TripAdvisor

He served as the first rector of the new church, who came from Virginia in 1733.

Once the ships arrived at their destinations, the crews through the ballast overboard and filled the ships with cargo.

St. Thomas Episcopal Church/Facebook

OleMaitred/TripAdvisor

Some preservation and restoration have been made along the way, but many of the features are original.

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Address: St Thomas Episcopal Church, 101 Craven St, Bath, NC 27808, USA