Read about the history of this iconic local church.
This August 18, St. Simeon-By-The-Sea Episcopal Church in North Wildwood will celebrate the 126th anniversary of its founding. Our church began as a missionary enterprise of St. Simeon’s Church, Philadelphia. The Rev. Edgar Cope held the first Service on the first Sunday of August 1898, in the Hotel Dayton, located on the southwest corner of Wildwood and Atlantic Avenues in Wildwood. Within three years construction began on the southwest corner of Maple and Pacific Avenues; summer parishioners carried folding chairs to a partially completed building to attend Services.
The Rt. Rev. John Scarborough, Bishop of NJ, received the First Communion class in the summer of 1903. By 1905 Services were being held on a year-round basis by the Rev. Samuel Ward, St. Simeon’s first rector. The ministry continued to grow in Wildwood, and by the year 1910 a parish hall had been built and the rectory purchased the property next to the church. By 1927, the brick rectory building replaced a temporary frame building.
In 1931, the Rev. William Heilman became rector, and a chapel was consecrated on the feast of St. Mary the Virgin. In 1937 an altar constructed of Carrara Glass was received as a memorial and remains in use today in our present chapel. St. Barnabas-by-the-Bay, Villas, begun as an outreach of ministry in the summer of 1946, is now functioning on a year-round basis. Our Golden Anniversary was celebrated in 1956 and featured a hymn written by Karl Myers, USN.
Initiated under the spiritual direction and vision of Fr. Heilman, our new church building became a reality in 1968. St. Simeon’s-By-The-Sea is now occupying the block between 25th and 26th Streets in North Wildwood, offering ample room for off-street parking. Services were held three days a week throughout the year. St. Simeon’s now offers Services, not only to vacationers, but to our faithful congregation throughout the year.
The Rev. R. Bowden Shepherd, chairman of the committee on the admission of new parishes, found that St. Simeon’s fully complied with the law on the subject and recommended that St. Simeon’s be admitted into union with the Convention of the Diocese.
Present Day
Today, as we celebrate our 126th anniversary, our church has returned to the status of Missionary Church. We are under the leadership of Father Marcel Tabone. Our hard-working Vestry: Jorje Ann Evans, Senior Warden, Lori McEwing, Junior Warden, Joan Wieglet-Grookett, Treasurer, Carmen Russo, Clerk of the Vestry, and Eileen McElroy, Fellowship, are undertaking many upgrades and improvements to our church. These include repairs to the roof, parking lot, and windows. Father Marcel Tabone leads our Services every Sunday at 8AM (Rite I) and 10AM (Rite II). He is also available to visit those who cannot make it to church: at home, in a nursing home, or in the hospital. Other Pastoral Services offered at the Parish are Baptism, Confessions (by appointment), Weddings, Funerals, and preparation for Confirmation. We are open to all who wish to worship. We are also wheelchair accessible, one level, no stairs.
Who Was St. Simeon?
He was one of the 12 sons of Jacob; his mother was Leah. According to Luke 2:25-35, He met Jesus, Mary, and Joseph as they entered the Temple to fulfill the Law of Moses. It was revealed by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
To contact Fr. Marcel, Members of the Vestry, or Parish Office please call the parish office at 609-522-8389.
