Christ Anglican Church

Written By: Wiley Sloan | Issue: 2015/12 - December

Compared to many of the other Christian churches in the Highlands-Cashiers area, the Christ Anglican Church, which meets at 464 U.S. Highway 64 East in Cashiers, is a youngster, having been organized in 2004.  

The congregation is led by Father Jim Murphy who migrated to our area in 2009.  This family of God is part and parcel to the 80 million member strong worldwide Anglican Communion with its primary focus directly upon the teachings of Jesus Christ.    

Many Anglicans in our region have worshipped with other denominations over the years due to the lack of an orthodox Anglican option in our area, until this group was organized.  Church members gather at their Cashiers facility from locales ranging from Highlands to Sapphire, from Glenville to Lake Toxaway, from Balsam to the South Carolina upstate, as well as from Cashiers.  Needless to say, these faithful folks are dedicated to make the drive each week to worship with one another and to share their faith.  

Like most churches in our area, the congregation has its largest attendance during the summer season when worship can see up to 110 participants on a busy weekend.  Winter crowds, consisting principally of the hardy year-round residents in Macon and Jackson counties, are a bit more intimate – usually running from two to three dozen attendees.  Christ Anglican is liturgically-oriented, mission-minded with a dedication to discipleship.  While they collaborate with other area churches to fill local needs, this small congregation has a big heart and a larger vision as they reach out internationally with missions in Africa, Western Asia, Eastern Europe, and soon to be, Southeast Asia.    

The congregation is excited to see the progress being made to their building.  Recent renovations include a new Fellowship Hall, kitchen, entryway and restrooms.  During the winter-spring of 2015-16 they will expand their worship space.  If all goes well they will worship in their renewed 150-seat sanctuary soon after Memorial Day 2016.    This is really exciting for a congregation who for years had worshipped at diverse places such as local homes, the Highlands Community Building and in shared facilities at the Whiteside Presbyterian Church. 

Father Murphy and all the members of the congregation invite everyone to come worship with them.   Services include a warm season schedule of 8:30 A.M (Traditional, said) 1928 Prayer Book Service; Christian Education (Sunday School) at 9:30 A.M.; and a celebrative Holy Eucharist (Family) service (including music) at 10:30 A.M.  There is also a regular Monday Evening Bible Study & Supper in private homes at 6:00 P.M. each week, plus other studies and services on occasional basis.  Please call the church for more invitations (828) 743-1701.  The cooler season schedule is the same, save for the suspension of the 8:30 A.M. service from November through April.