Who We Are
“Halfway between Asheville and Hendersonville in the mountains of North Carolina, on a plateau stretching along the eastern foot of Mount Pisgah, God made a hill higher than the other hills round about. Long ago, men of vision, men with hearts turned to God in worship, looked on this hill and dreamed of a Church on the very top. So they set about to fashion and pile brick on brick. Their labors have glorified God and blessed men for a hundred years.”
– from the preface of Calvary Episcopal Church, the First 100 Years
Calvary is a parish congregation of the Diocese of Western North Carolina and The Episcopal Church, which is the United States-based member church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church is Michael Bruce Curry, the first African American bishop to serve in that position.
“Episcopal” means “having bishops.” Just as the early Church had “over-seers,” (epi-scopoi), we have bishops who provide spiritual leadership, direction, and oversight. We live our life together under the doctrine, discipline and worship in the tradition of the earliest Christians, which we have received through the Church of England.
Our worship is liturgical; that is, it follows ancient forms, involving the whole congregation but using modern language. Consisting of scripture, hymns, sermon, prayer, and celebration of the Holy Eucharist (also called the Holy Communion or the Lord’s Supper), our worship involves everyone.
The Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina covers the western most third of our state and is led by a bishop who is based in Asheville.
As he gathered around the table with his friends for the last time, Jesus invited them to share bread and wine, symbols of his willingness to give his body and blood to the work of healing our world. Jesus said, “Do this in remembrance of me.” And we continue to respond to Christ's invitation, celebrating together the Holy Communion each Sunday and Wednesday.
We hope you will join us.
