History of St. Ann's-by-the-Sea
Since 1888, when the first of a hardy group of dedicated Episcopalians decided to form a mission on Block Island, St. Ann's-By-the-Sea has been an Episcopal spiritual presence on these shores. Since that time, the church and the island have moved in harmony, from the building of the first sanctuary in the late 19th century to the devastation of the Depression. The Hurricane of 1938 destroyed the church building, at its former location across from the Spring House Hotel on Spring Street, 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 physical sanctuary, their faith remained steadfast and they continued regular worship services at 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, farther south on Spring Street. As the island prospered, so too did the church, culminating in the building of the present sanctuary and vicarage in 1985.
Today, with Block Island prospering as never before, St. Ann's faces the challenge of continuing to grow, and becoming a more meaningful and active Episcopal spiritual presence within the fabric of the larger island community.
St. Ann's by-the-Sea 2011
Block Island, RI 02807