Welcome to Saint Stephen’s
Get to know us!
As Episcopalians, we believe in and follow the teachings of Jesus Christ, whose life, death, and resurrection saved the world. We believe that God loves you – no exceptions.
The Episcopal Church is part of the Worldwide Anglican Communion, which is home to around 100 million people worldwide. Parishioners at Saint Stephen’s come from many different backgrounds and life experiences, yet we are drawn together by a shared faith in the Episcopal tradition. Rooted in the love of Christ, we strive to be a community where people of every age, race, identity, orientation, and circumstance know they are welcomed, valued, and loved. We believe that everyone belongs, and that the sacraments of the Church—including marriage—are gifts meant for all God’s people. In a divided world, we seek to live as a true “big-tent” parish: a place where honest conversation is encouraged, diversity is honored, and our differences are held within the deeper unity we share in Christ.
In the Episcopal Church in Alabama, we believe that Jesus meant what he said—God loves the whole world, every race, every group, every heart. Join a living faith tradition rooted in God’s unconditional love.
Join us for Worship!
Worship Times
7:45am
Holy Eucharist, Rite II
Spoken Service
9:00am
Holy Eucharist, Rite II
Children’s Chapel
4K through 2nd Grade
Nursery Available
Birth to 4 years old
Livestreamed Service
11:15am
Holy Eucharist, Rite II
Children’s Chapel
4K through 2nd Grade
Nursery Available
Birth to 4 years old
5:00pm
Celtic Service with Holy Eucharist
Nursery Available
Birth to 4 years old
Community Supper
Join us for a meal after the service in the Parish Hall
Live Stream
If you are unable to make it to a service in person - we invite you to join us on our Live Stream. Please use the link below:
Nursery
Saint Stephen’s Church offers a nursery for children through age 4. Trained and caring staff take care of young children during Sunday morning services (9:00 and 11:15 a.m. during the academic/program year, and 10:15 a.m. during the summer), the Sunday morning formation period (10:15-11 a.m.) and during the Sunday evening Celtic service at 5:00 pm.
The nursery is located on the lower level just off the main entrance. Greeters are happy to help you find your way to the nursery.
Questions? Contact Searcy Sledge
Parking
We have plenty of parking spaces available around the Saint Stephen’s campus with the majority being in the side parking lot to the left of Crosshaven Drive and the back parking lot just past the church. The main entrance of the church is the first one you come to when driving in the main entrance.
Accessible parking is available in front of the church in the main driveway. Our accessible entrance is the second one you come to, under the porte cochere. There is an elevator right inside the door and you will find the Nave, Parish Hall, classrooms, and labyrinth on the second floor.
Baptism
Baptism serves as a sacrament of welcome into the Body of Christ—for children and adults. In it, we celebrate God’s love and embrace for God’s people as unconditional and absolute; we are “marked as Christ’s own forever,” making Baptism a sacrament that is done only once in a person’s life.
Any Christian baptism is celebrated and acknowledged in our tradition.
Baptism is also a time when the community of faith gathers to renew its own commitment to Christ and to support those who are being baptized in their life in Christ. So, it is appropriate that Baptism take place, whenever possible, in the midst of the congregation during the Holy Eucharist as the chief service on a Sunday or other feast day.
To schedule a baptism, please reach out to Gretchen Lerner.
2026 Baptism Dates
April 4 (Saturday), the Great Vigil of Easter | 6:30pm
May 10, Mother’s Day | 9am & 11:15am services
May 24, Pentecost | 10:15am service
July 19 | 10:15am service
September 13 | 9am & 11:15am services
November 1, All Saints’ Day | 9am & 11:15am services
Frequently Asked Questions
-
If you have been baptized in the Christian faith, simply let us know the date of your baptism or the church where you were most recently a member. We can request your membership records from that church.
If you have not yet been baptized, we would be honored to schedule a baptism for you or a member of your family. Adults are encouraged to attend our Inquirers’ Class before baptism, though it is not required.
-
You are welcome to participate in nearly every aspect of parish life.
To serve on the Vestry or as a Eucharistic Minister (someone who assists with the chalice during communion), you must be a confirmed member of the church. Most other activities and ministries are open to everyone.
Members do receive priority registration for our preschool programs.
-
Come as you are. You will see people dressed both casually and more formally—whatever feels comfortable for you is perfectly appropriate.
Our 5:00 p.m. Celtic service is also relaxed and casual.
-
As you come up the drive to Saint Stephen’s, the first entrance (Entrance 1 on the sign) is closest to the Nave, our main worship space. The Nave is located on the second floor, and stairs lead up to it from this entrance.
If you need wheelchair access, please use Entrance 2. This entrance leads to the porte cochere and provides accessible entry for those using walkers, scooters, or wheelchairs. It also connects to the Parish Hall.
-
Some people bring a notebook, Bible, or their own Book of Common Prayer, but most people simply use the bulletin provided. All of the readings, prayers, and music are printed there.
The Bible translation we typically read from is the New Revised Standard Version.
-
One practice that may be helpful to know is that people usually remain at the communion rail until everyone there has received communion. Many people find that this creates a sense of unity as we share the sacrament together.
-
The nursery is located near the Nave (worship space). Most families enter through the doors closest to Entrance 1, which provide the most direct access.
-
We would prefer you not, unless it’s medically necessary.
Formation
Formation is a commonly used term in the Episcopal Church to reference the different ways we are formed and transformed by the teachings of Jesus and the shared wisdom of God’s people.
We welcome creativity and suggestions for formation and desire to create an environment where you can teach, learn, and grow spiritually in our Sunday morning and weekday classes.
To learn about our Sunday Formation offerings, please use the links below:
Groups
We offer a variety of weekday classes and gatherings where spiritual and personal growth occur. Some led by clergy and some led by parishioners. These classes are where deep connection and shared experience thrive.
You can find our weekday offerings on our Parish Events Calendar. You can sort them by interest.
Men’s & Women’s
Young Adults
Youth/Teens
Middlers
Boomers
Supper Clubs
Pastoral Care
Outreach
Bible Studies
Book Studies
Cancer Support
Grief
Not sure what group is right for you? Contact Kathleen Franklin to learn more about all group offerings at Saint Stephen’s.
Get In Touch
Need assistance? We'll review your message and get back to you within 24 hours.