St. Peter's has a special Anglican legacy. Over two hundred and fifty years ago, not far from where our church building stands, the Reverend John Wesley conducted Anglican services on our island for a "small but attentive congregation." Wesley sailed up and down the Georgia coast in a small sloop, preaching and ministering to the inhabitants of the then sparsely settled Colonial islands. In a very real sense, St. Peter's Church brings Anglican Worship back to Skidaway Island.

Bethesda Chapel

                                                                                      St. Peter's Today

Another facet of our Anglican legacy relates to our initial meeting place. Our first service was held in the Whitefield Chapel at Bethesda Home for Boys, and we worshipped there for over two years. The pretty little chapel is patterned after the Reverend Whitefield's home church in England. Bethesda was founded in 1740 by the Rev. George Whitefield and James Habersham at the suggestion of John and Charles Wesley, and it has been in continuous operation ever since. No place of worship could have given St. Peter's a better start.

In our third year, St. Peter's acquired over five acres of heavily wooded land adjacent to the Village at Skidaway Island. This was to become our congregation's permanent home. The site is central to Skidaway Island and yet easily accessible to our many parishioners and friends who live ashore.

Our buildings are situated at the corner of West Ridge Road and Lake Street and they bid "welcome" to all who pass by. Completed in late 1994, and consecrated by Bishop Loutit on September 7, 1995, St. Peter's is designed to accommodate over four hundred worshippers. The nave and chancel are laid out East and West, and the North and South transepts create the traditional cruciform pattern which had served Christianity so well for two thousand years. Its tall steeple towers over Skidaway's stately pines and oaks, and its gothic windows look out into the surrounding forest.

From the first day of St. Peter's existence talented parishioners have materialized to carry out each task as if God knew our needs. At our very first service, we had in place an Altar Guild, Acolytes, Choir, Ushers, Lay Readers, Chalice Bearers, Sunday School and Nursery, an Outreach Committee, a Visitation Committee and all of the many other ministries essential to the start-up of a church. Over the years, as quickly as new tasks have arisen, enthusiastic parishioners have continued to come forward. Our programming is expanding as new members offer their gifts to the life of the parish.

Outreach has been important to St. Peter's since the beginning. Our resources and talents have gone out to The Magdalene Project, Potters Place, St. Paul's Food Pantry, Savannah Health Mission and Open Arms, to mention but a few.  We are also memberss for the Interfaith Hospitality Network.  The proceeds from our annual Antiques Show, first held in 1999, are combined with funds from our general operating fund to support the outreach ministries of the parish and beyond.

Evangelism at St. Peter's has been a way of life. The enthusiasm and love of God as shown forth by our Clergy and people have always been contagious and have attracted many to join our parish family.  We work hard to make sure YOU know that there is a place for YOU here!

Please, tour the site and get to know us better.  But, if you really want to experience St. Peter's, you must come and see!