About St. Andrew's in Ojai
What it means when we say "We are from St. Andrew's."

 image St. Andrew's Episcopal Church is a Christ-centered community of distinct individuals who differ on many issues but share many beliefs and passions. Among these is an acceptance of the Trinity, a preference for a traditional liturgical service, the sharing of the bread and wine of communion each Sunday, a dedication to reason, a desire to serve others and a commitment to preserving God’s earth.

We come together to worship in the Anglican tradition, to learn more about the God revealed in scripture and to follow Jesus, who calls us to serve those in need. We are a small and extremely welcoming parish. As you will see on the pages of this web site, we enjoy coming together to discuss and learn from one another, to celebrate and share the gifts God has bestowed on us.

We invite you to join us in worship and take part in our programs.


St. Andrew's History
Over 120 years of Episcopal Tradition in Ojai Valley.

 The Episcopal Church's ministry in the Ojai Valley began in 1887 with intermittent visits of clergy from Ventura. In the 1930s, St. Paul's, Ventura began monthly celebrations of the Holy Eucharist in Ojai. During the 1930s and 1940s weekly services were held in a variety of locations around Ojai. In 1949, land was acquired on both sides of San Antonio Street on the south side of Ojai Avenue. On January 24, 1951, the Diocese of Los Angeles approved St. Andrew's application to become a Mission Church. Our current Christian Education Building was our first church, built using parishioners' own labor and prefabricated materials.

In the 1960s St. Andrew's traded property with the city of Ojai, allowing San Antonio Street to be relocated, leaving the church with the five contiguous lots in use today. Fisher Hall, the main hall for fellowship and most large meetings, was built in the late 1960s.

By 1973, the Mission of St. Andrew's' had fully supported itself for two consecutive years, allowing St. Andrew's to apply to the Diocese for Parish Status, which was granted. The congregation began a building fund, the new church was built and the entire building debt retired in just two years. St. Andrew's current church building was consecrated on September 14, 1975. A tracker action pipe organ was installed in 1985. On the Day of Pentecost, June 7, 1992, the newly installed columbarium in the narthex was blessed.


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Did You Know?

Saint Andrew (Greek: Andreas; early first century - mid to late first century AD), called in the Orthodox tradition Protocletos, or the First-called, is a Christian Apostle and the brother of Saint Peter. The name "Andrew," like other Greek names, appears to have been common among the Jews from the second or third century BC. No Hebrew or Aramaic name is recorded for him.

 


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