Grace Episcopal Mission of Clayton, NC

Brief History of Grace Episcopal Mission

Grace Episcopal Mission is an Episcopal Church of the Diocese of North Carolina. Grace had its beginnings in Clayton in 1996 as a dream of the late Attorney E. Craig Jones, Jr. of Selma and as an outreach project of St. Paul's, Smithfield. The following is from a press release issued in February 2001:

Five years after their first worship service in Clayton in January 1996, Grace Episcopal Mission was officially recognized and welcomed into union with the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina in February 2001. This festive event brought to reality that vision which was first born in 1996.

On the evening of Friday, February 2nd, thirty members and friends representing Grace traveled to Winston-Salem to attend a banquet at the annual convention of the Diocese of North Carolina.Approximately 650 delegates and clergy greeted the Clayton congregation and an Episcopal Hispanic congregation from Wilson as they marched together into the banquet hall singing "Seek Ye First The Kingdom Of God" in English and Spanish. Ryan Nieradka, of Garner, head of the acolytes at Grace, carried the congregation’s newly made banner as he led the enthusiastic members of the congregation into the hall. Congregation member Bryan Taylor designed the logo and the congregation’s sewing group, led by Cathy Coímbre, made the banner.

The entire convention rose to its feet and applauded as the two newest Episcopal Missions in the Diocese were welcomed. Presently, the Diocese of North Carolina is actively planting new congregations in Raleigh, Wendell, Tarboro, Chapel Hill, and Charlotte. The Rev. Barbara Platt-Hendren, Vicar of Grace Episcopal, and two laypersons from Iglesia de la Guadalupana addressed the convention on behalf of their respective congregations. The Rt. Rev. Michael B. Curry, Bishop of the Diocese of North Carolina, welcomed and blessed them, first in English and then in Spanish. Many members of the group, who had traveled from Clayton to Winston-Salem by bus, were overcome with emotion as they received the blessing of their Bishop and the welcome applause of the convention. Sarah Anderson, former President of the Advisory Council, and Ernie Nieradka, the present Senior Warden of the Vestry, both commented, "This has been a long time coming. The hard work and prayers of so many people have been answered. Praise God!"

Under the leadership of the Rev. Barbara Platt-Hendren, Grace Episcopal Mission has worshipped and worked, building itself gradually to 50 households. The congregation is actively involved in the community, participating in a Habitat for Humanity Build, sponsoring a family at Christmas, mentoring in Headstart, providing funds for Interfaith Food Shuttle, Episcopal Farm Workers Ministry and Backpack Buddies. Today, as our congregation continues to grow, we have come to the conclusion that our own worship site is a necessity. We are working hard to meet this challenge.

Grace Episcopal Mission

Clayton, North Carolina