THE EPISCOPAL SHIELD
Symbol of the Episcopal Church


Although this shield is prominently displayed on flags, signs and publicity in all Episcopal
Churches, the meaning of the shield is not often taught.

A red cross on a white field is the Cross of St. George and indicates our descent from the Church
of England.

The St. Andrew's Cross in outline in the canton recalls our indebtedness to the Scottish Church
who consecrated our first Bishop, Bishop Seabury, in Aberdeen in the year of 1784.

The nine crosslets symbolize the nine original dioceses which met in Philadelphia and, in 1789,
adopted the Constitution of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States.

The colors, red, white and blue represent our country and stand for the American branch of the
Anglican Communion.
Grace Episcopal Church History
Grace Episcopal Church
"Serving Christ by ministering to the needs of the community and parish."

" Lord I love the house in which you dwell and the place where you glory abides."  
                                                                                                       -Psalm 26:8

On September 1, 2007, Grace Episcopal Church celebrated its 55th Anniversary. Grace Church
did not begin at it's current location in 1952. Our origins began on June 25, 1879, when Grace
Episcopal Church had its first service in Hutchinson, Kansas, celebrated by Bishop Thomas
Vail in the Presbyterian Church. There were 22 active members at the time and Hutchinson's
population was less than 2,000.

The small parish had big thoughts and it wasn't long before these few people raised $250.00
and bought a piece of land on the corner of 1st Avenue and Maple Street their plans were to
someday build a church building. That day did not come until 1891, and they really did not
build a church, but moved it from Nickerson. The cost in 1891, including the move was $350.00.

There are still members in our congregation who worshiped in that little building on 1st and
Maple. A church still stands on that corner and ironically enough; its past pastor was a regular
participant in Our Thursday morning Men's Bible Study Group, before passing away.

As Grace Church grew, the building on 1st and Maple became too small. A bigger church was
needed. Once again, blessed with forward leadership, the church went looking for land. They
soon found what they were looking for on the corner of Main Street and Hyde Park Drive. This
sight had originally been earmarked for a large mansion, but half way through the
construction, the owner abandoned the site. The corner lot and its half built mansion were
later described, by the Hutchinson News, as " an eight year old eyesore" and a "monument to
marital troubles for the former Hutchinson couple."

In 1947, Grace Episcopal Church bought the old "Douglas Mansion, " however; it was six years
before ground was broken for the new church. After a year of construction, the first service was
held in the new building on August 31, 1952.

At that time, the High Altar was a temporary altar and the medallion on the altar was hand
carved by Father Croft, the Rector. A permanent one soon replaced the Altar and the temporary
altar is now in St. Margaret's Chapel, as well as the original stained glass windows. The
medallion now hangs over the back doors on the balcony screen. The eagle lectern that stands
near the altar has heard many lessons read throughout the years. The fiddle-back Roman
Chasuble is about 150 to 200 years old, the Russian Orthodox Cope is about 500 years old and
the prayer books we use were adopted in 1976, but contain prayers that reach back almost 1800
years. The form we use for Eucharist has been around since just after the days of St. Paul.

Our ceiling soars, reaching heaven. The great arches resemble a hull of a ship - The Ark of
Noah that carries us through the trials of life. The stained glass windows tell the stories of the
apostles.

In the year 2000, an office addition was added to the original structure and the old office, a
house located on Main Street, was moved away.

Most Recently, Grace Church has added a Memorial Garden. A wonderful place to admire the
flowers or have a moment of prayer or meditation.

Grace Episcopal Church has vision for the future. There are many ideas that are being worked
on now and ideas that have yet to be conceived. No matter what our vision, our prayers and God
will help guide us through the process.