Our History

Our history dates back to 1919 when sixteen citizens met to discuss the feasibility of forming an Episcopal church in  Ocean View. By the next year, they were holding services first in the Old Post Office building, then the Masonic Lodge, and later in an abandoned seed store, with rectors coming from Norfolk to celebrate communion.

In 1921 a church  was constructed on “A” View Ave. and was operated as a mission church of old Christ Church  (now Christ and St. Luke’s church in Norfolk)  The rector received an authorized salary of $50 a month with a $5 expense allowance.

In the period from 1923 to 1930, Advent faced financial difficulties, making it difficult to retain a permanent rector for more than a year or two at a time.  They did manage however, to get together $4,000 to buy a cottage to serve as a Parish House and a site for the Sunday School.

During the Depression Years further adversities grew including fire and hurricanes which affected the church.  The rector resigned, the bank balance at one point was $20 and a Lay Leader led the church.

Conditions improved and membership grew from 1935 to 1945.  The Vestry looked to ways of expanding worship space and voted $20,000 to purchase a part of the nearby Pinewell Country Club.  This property was renovated to create a beautiful sanctuary, which is used today as Church of the Advent’s Parish Hall.

In 1946 The Church of the Advent was designated an independent church, and two years later a rectory was built behind the church.

The church continued to flourish; and in June 1959, a ground-breaking for the new sanctuary on Sherwood Ave was held with the dedication taking place in September, 1960.