Christian Paolino
Google
What a warm and friendly place! I have passed it numerous times while visiting friends and even explored the grounds a bit, and (finally) was free on a Sunday morning to attend worship there. Starting with the man helping people cross the road from the parking lot, everybody I met was friendly and engaging.
St. George's has been a congregation since 1719! This is the second building, constructed in 1794 and renovated several times, the most recent undoing some of the "improvements" to return it to its original style. The careful stewardship of this congregation is evident in the condition of this unique historic building and the modern parish house across the street which houses coffee hour and Sunday school, among other activities. Once I identified as a first-time visitor, I was invited to climb into the balcony to get a better picture of the interior.
The service at 9:30 is a pretty from-the-book Episcopal communion service with traditional hymns, accompanied by the (real) pipe organ and congregational singing. This being summer I do not know if there is a choir during the program year. The congregation is part of All Saints' parish in Rehoboth Beach, with whom they share clergy and resources. It is not a big space but was pretty full by the time the service started, a nice thing to see these days.
After the service, I was invited by the same person who originally greeted me (who remembered my name) to join the fellowship, which was a whole meal, not just cake and coffee. These people don't play!
Wandering alone into a church for the first time can be very uncomfortable but I was made to feel very welcome without being put on the spot. If you are in the area and looking for a traditional worship experience within a welcoming inclusive community, you should give St. George's a try.
