A Parish Rooted in Isle of Hope Since 1922
St. Thomas' Episcopal Church sits among the live oaks of Isle of Hope, a quiet residential community on the south side of Savannah. The parish has called this neighborhood home since 1922, and its white clapboard church and the heart-pine chapel that followed a year later remain the visual heart of the congregation. The people of St. Thomas' describe themselves as warm, joyful and welcoming, committed to caring for one another and to making a difference in Savannah and beyond.
St. Thomas' is a parish of the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia and a member of The Episcopal Church. The parish describes its identity in terms of open hearts and minds, vibrant and ancient worship, and a love of discovering the holy in everyday life. Worship here is both historic and alive, prayerful and joy-filled, rooted in tradition yet deeply relevant to the world the congregation lives in today.
The Historic Chapel
The little chapel at St. Thomas' was built around 1923 of heart pine in what the parish calls a "ship's carpenter gothic" style. Its original slatted wooden and wrought iron pews are believed to have come from trolley cars, and the building now holds its central heating and air, an upright piano, restrooms and ample on-site parking. The chapel seats up to seventy-five guests and is handicap accessible, making it a popular site for weddings and vow renewals. It is also the location for the early Sunday service and for the Wednesday healing service.
Sunday Worship in Two Rites
Two Sunday services anchor parish life at St. Thomas'. At 8:00 am, a smaller congregation gathers in the chapel for Holy Eucharist using the Rite I liturgy from the Book of Common Prayer. At 10:00 am, the principal service moves into the church and uses the Rite II liturgy, with hymns accompanied by the organ and choir. Visitors are invited to fill out a visitor's card and introduce themselves; the parish likes to welcome newcomers personally and offer a small gift of hospitality.
Children have a clear place in the principal service during the school year. Young people aged three through fifth grade are invited to Children's Chapel, leaving the nave at the procession behind the children's cross and returning at the Peace. A fully-staffed nursery for children four and younger is available throughout the 10:00 am service in the Christian Education building. After the service, the parish gathers for hospitality in the parish hall at 11:00 am, where refreshments and conversation bridge the morning.
The 10:00 am service is livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube, and a sermon archive, the most recent homily, and the upcoming Sunday's worship bulletin are available online.
A Wednesday Service of Healing
Midweek, the chapel hosts a brief but meaningful pause. At 11:30 am on Wednesdays, a Service of Healing with Holy Eucharist takes place in the chapel, offering members of the parish a chance to receive prayer, anointing and communion in the middle of the week.
Music as a Center of Worship
Music carries a real weight at St. Thomas'. Tripp Hardee, the Minister of Music and Organist, leads the program and serves as a member of the Savannah Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. The adult choir helps lead music at the 10:00 am service most Sundays and at other special services, rehearsing on most Wednesday evenings at 6:30 pm in the Christian Education building. The ability to read music is not required to join. A handbell choir rehearses on Wednesday evenings at 5:30 pm and provides special music on occasion.
Children, Youth and Formation
St. Thomas' takes the formation of its young members seriously. In addition to the Children's Chapel and nursery already mentioned, the parish runs Episcopal Youth Community (EYC) for youth in sixth through twelfth grade, meeting once a month during the school year for game nights, service projects, Bible studies and day trips. Each summer, Vacation Bible School welcomes rising kindergartners through fifth graders and depends on volunteers of all ages to run games, crafts, meals and more.
Fellowship Around Tables and Halls
Parish life at St. Thomas' revolves around the table. The Wednesday Night Supper meets the first Wednesday of the month during the school year, gathering parishioners and friends for a shared meal. The Women of St. Thomas' gather on the third Tuesday of the month at 6:00 pm, supporting parish missions and community outreach. A separate group called Women Sharing Wisdom, a facilitated discussion program developed by Beth Firestein, Ph.D., meets on the first and third Mondays at 2:00 pm. The Men's Group puts on occasional events, provides meals and fundraises to support the parish property.
Other fellowship offerings include Lunch Bunch, a monthly gathering for mostly retired members featuring speakers and visits to local historical sites; Mahjong Mix and Mingle on the fourth Thursday at 5:30 pm; the Funeral Guild, which provides simple receptions after parish funerals; and Cursillo Reunion Groups for those continuing the work of a Cursillo weekend.
Sunday Ministries
Sunday worship is supported by a wide range of lay volunteers. Acolytes serve at the altar; lay eucharistic ministers help administer the chalice; and lay eucharistic visitors take communion to those who are shut-in, sick or in the hospital. Lectors read scripture and the prayers of the people at every service, with all ages welcome to read. Ushers greet worshipers, distribute bulletins and direct communicants at the altar rail. The Altar Guild prepares the altar, polishes the brass and silver twice a year, and works in a monthly rotation. The Flower Guild creates weekly arrangements with no experience required, and a worship tech runs the online broadcast from the sacristy each Sunday morning.
Supporting the Parish
Giving is offered in three simple ways: securely online, in the offering plate during Sunday services, or by mail to the church office. The parish sees giving as an act of worship and partnership in the work God is doing in the community.
A Leader and a Steadfast Setting
The Rev. Colette Hammesfahr serves as Priest in Charge of Parish Life, Pastoral Care and Worship, bringing to St. Thomas' the experience of her first call following her ordination by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in 2023. With her husband Kurt and four grown children, she anchors a staff that includes Tripp Hardee at the organ and a nursery supervisor with more than twenty-five years of preschool experience. Together they keep the doors open in a community that is roughly twenty minutes from Savannah's Historic District, thirty minutes from Tybee Island and forty-five minutes from Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport, a parish that values its historic setting while looking forward to the years ahead.