I caught the tail end of the Palm Sunday services at this quaint little chapel in Montgomery. I…read morewasn't feeling so hot so I didn't end up staying very long, but I stayed long enough to garner a positive impression of this kindhearted Episcopal congregation.
Built in 1903, this chapel served for years as a mission church of a larger Episcopal congregation, St. Andrew's, in the nearby town of Walden. Until the past year, when the chapel became its own independent congregation, it operated under the name "St. Andrew's Chapel." They changed their name to honor St. Francis of Assisi when they became a congregation in their own right, although the attached church hall still retains the St. Andrew's name.
St. Francis of Assisi hosts one Sunday service - at 9 a.m. - and since I was up at that hour and in the neighborhood, I swung by for a visit. I'd always been curious about the diminutive green chapel in the heart of Montgomery and was glad to have an opportunity to see what they were all about.
Upon opening the front door, I found myself in a very small vestibule facing the door to the actual church itself. The door was of dark wood and had a palm frond hanging on the front. This door was pretty solid and I couldn't hear anything that was going on in terms of the service, and I must admit that I was fairly nervous as I turned the doorknob and entered the church. Had I missed the service? Would I be disturbing the congregation?
The church itself was extremely small, brightly lit, charming, and, as I quickly discovered, very welcoming. Counting myself, the priest and the girl who was acting as the altar server, there were only 15 people in attendance at the Sunday service. It was definitely an older congregation - I'm estimating that the altar server and I were the youngest people there by about 15 years - but they seemed to be a warm little group of people. Since I wasn't feeling so great and didn't know whether or not I would need to make an early exit - which, unfortunately, I did - I stood in the back so as not to disturb anyone. However, two people made it known that I was more than welcome to sit down. A nice member of the congregation, whose name I believe was Joe, introduced himself and presented me with a welcome booklet that gave some information about the church, which was very much appreciated.
What I witnessed of St. Francis of Assisi's Palm Sunday service was quaint and lovely. The priest, Rev. Jan Nunley, radiates warmth and has an obvious affection for her small congregation, which they appear to return. The order of the service was similar to other Episcopal services I have attended, and when it came time to give the sign of peace, Rev. Nunley was right out in the aisle shaking hands and greeting everyone. Music during the service was provided by an organist and a congregant who played the flute. Whoever said simple was bland and boring wasn't paying attention.
St. Francis of Assisi isn't a grand chapel, but those who like quiet havens of repose will appreciate the chapel's pretty windows, such as the one that depicts St. Francis preaching to the birds, as well as the modest altar. I wish I could have stayed for an entire service, but the next time I'm in the area I might stop by again. A Christian prayer attributed to St. Francis asks the Lord to "make us instruments of peace." What with the nice welcome I received and the warmth that appears to bind together the people who worship within its walls, it seems that St. Francis of Assisi Church is succeeding in doing just that.
