The original St. Ann’s (1900)

The Church History

Since 1888, when the first of a hearty group of dedicated  Episcopalians decided to spread the gospel of God's love, St. Ann's by the Sea has been an Episcopal spiritual presence on Block Island . Since that time, the church and the island have moved in harmony, from the building of the first sanctuary during the golden years of the late 19th century to the devastation of the Depression, ending with the Hurricane of 1938 which destroyed the church building and set the congregation adrift.

During the 1940s, 50s and early 60s, both the island and St. Ann's struggled. Even though the congregation had lost a spiritual sanctuary, their faith remained steadfast and they continued to worship in the foundation of the old church.

In 1979, with a generous gift of land from Dr. Lincoln Dunn, St. Ann's found a new home.  As the island prospered, so too did the Church, culminating in the building of the present sanctuary and residence in 1985.

Today, with Block Island prospering as never before, the challenge St. Ann's faces is to grow and become a more meaningful, Episcopal spiritual presence within the fabric of the island community.