Saint Saviour’s Episcopal Church
350 Sound Beach Avenue
Old Greenwich, Connecticut 06870

Sacramental worship is central to the life of Saint Saviour’s. Except for a brief period in the 1960’s, the Holy Eucharist has been celebrated at all Sunday morning services. Men and women, teenagers, youngsters, and babes in arms, come to the altar of Saint Saviour’s in frequent and joyful obedience to our Lord’s command, “Do this in remembrance of me.” Emphasizing the liturgical practices of the ancient church of England, worship ceremonies at Saint Saviour’s were notably elaborate in its early years. There were processions in colorful vestments. Eucharistic services included the use of sanctus bells and incense amid an abundance of religious furnishings, including an ornate reredos and statues of saints surrounding the main altar. A confessional booth was installed at the entrance to the Chapel.


By the 1960’s, to fulfill the wishes of newer members of the congregation, compromises were made eliminating the use of non-essential accoutrements and favoring a more moderate ceremony familiar to many Episcopalians. Thus, the reredos was removed and the statuary was relocated to the Chapel. The confessional was no longer used; the Sacrament of Penance was made available by appointment. On major feasts, however, solemn high celebrations with vested priest, deacon and sub-deacon were continued (up to 1974) along with the use of incense and procession to the center of the nave for the reading of the Gospel.

The advent of the 1979 Prayer Book brought a greater emphasis on Word as well as Sacrament but required only minor changes in ceremonial practice at Saint Saviour’s. To accommodate the twentieth century movement for liturgical reform, the main altar was modified so that the Celebrant could stand facing the people. Torch stands were mounted in the altar steps to be used on occasions in procession along with the crucifix. Within the last decade, a forged bell and a set of electronic bells have been installed in the church tower.

A new Rodgers “Trillium” two-manual digital organ was purchased in 2001 to replace the limited and ailing pipe organ that had been installed during the early history of Saint Saviour’s. The new organ was dedicated in a special concert featuring renowned organist Anthony Newman.

Sunday Eucharistic practice typically proceeds as follows: 8am Holy Eucharist (Rite I) 10am Singing Eucharist (alternating Rites I and II) Sunday school classes At the 10am Wednesday service, the Eucharist is celebrated in the small chapel. When there are candidates, the sacrament of Baptism is usually conferred at the 10am Sunday service prior to sharing in the Eucharist. The crucifix (thurifer with censer on major feasts only) leads the procession of celebrant and acolytes from the narthex to the main altar at 10am. Volunteer lectors are assigned to read the lessons. At Intercessions, there are prayers for the Presiding Bishop, Diocesan Bishop and Suffragans, and for named parishioners read from the current prayer list. Thanksgivings are offered for birthdays and anniversaries. Parishes and missions are named according to the Diocesan and Anglican prayer cycles. The celebrant moves through the congregation for the passing of the Peace. There is liberal use of alternative forms of the Eucharistic Prayer and other prayers as offered by the 1979 Prayer Book. The sanctus bell is rung at the elevations or at the conclusion of the Eucharistic Prayer. Alternatively, the celebrant can activate the bell in the tower. Youngsters in the Sunday school join the congregation for Communion. Saint Saviour’s has a number of acolytes as well as a full complement of licensed chalice bearers to aid the priest in the distribution of the elements during Communion. After the service, refreshments are served in the undercroft for all parishioners, visitors and newcomers.

Worship at Saint Saviour's