Discover the Heart of St. Mary's
Guided by Grace, Growing in Faith
At St. Mary's, we believe in building a Christ-centered community that welcomes all, nurtures spiritual growth, and lives out the message of love and hope.
About St. Mary's
In the heart of Emmett, St. Mary's Episcopal Church is a historic Christian community where worship, welcome, and service come together. Its roots reach back to 1886, when Bishop Daniel S. Tuttle consecrated the original mission chapel—making St. Mary’s one of Idaho’s earliest Episcopal congregations.
Today, St. Mary’s is supported in its priestly ministry by the Rev. Mary Van Donsel. This ministry is also occasionally shared with their long-term retired priest, Rev. Gretchen Downer. Together with the lay leadership and congregation, they nurture a community centered on Jesus Christ, Scripture, prayer, the sacraments, and the Episcopal tradition.
Sunday worship is offered at 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. The 8:00 service is a quieter celebration of Holy Eucharist or Morning Prayer without music, while the 10:00 service includes music and is also available through Zoom. (St. Mary’s Episcopal Church) At the heart of worship is the invitation to encounter Christ and grow together as a community of faith.
St. Mary’s believes that church extends beyond Sunday morning. The congregation serves the wider Gem County community, including support for the Emmett Valley Friendship Coalition, which provides meals and food assistance to local residents.
Most importantly, St. Mary’s is a place to belong. Whether you have been an Episcopalian all your life, are returning to church, or are simply searching for God, you are invited to come as you are—to worship, ask questions, serve others, and discover a community where all are welcomed and loved.
Find Your Place to Serve
Find Your Place to Serve
There’s a place for everyone to serve at St. Mary's — whether it's greeting guests, mentoring youth, supporting worship, or lending a hand to those in need.
Faithful Hearts, United in Purpose
Meet Our Dedicated Team
Behind every ministry at St. Mary's is a team of passionate leaders who serve with love, wisdom, and a heart for God.
Bishop Jos Tharakan
Rev. Mary Van Donsel
Rev. Gretchen Downer
1. What is the Episcopal Church?
The Episcopal Church is a Christian denomination rooted in the Anglican tradition. We follow Jesus Christ and seek to live his way of love. Our worship combines ancient Christian practices with thoughtful engagement with today’s world. Episcopalians value Scripture, tradition, reason, prayer, Holy Communion, service, and a welcoming community where questions and spiritual growth are encouraged.
2. What do Episcopalians believe?
Episcopalians believe in one God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—and proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Our central beliefs are expressed in the Nicene and Apostles’ Creeds. We believe God loves all people and calls us to love our neighbors, seek justice, practice forgiveness, care for creation, and participate in God’s work of reconciliation.
3. Is the Episcopal Church Catholic or Protestant?
In many ways, it is both. The Episcopal Church emerged from the Church of England and is part of the worldwide Anglican Communion. We retain many ancient Catholic traditions, including bishops, priests, deacons, sacraments, liturgical worship, and weekly Eucharist, while also embracing important insights of the Reformation. You may hear Episcopalians describe this as a “via media,” or middle way.
4. What happens during an Episcopal worship service?
Most Sunday services include Scripture readings, a sermon, prayers, music, the Nicene Creed, and Holy Communion. Worship follows a pattern found in the Book of Common Prayer. Some congregations are traditional and others more contemporary. You may stand, sit, or kneel at different times, but visitors are welcome simply to participate in whatever way feels comfortable.
5. Can I receive Communion in an Episcopal Church?
The Episcopal Church welcomes all baptized Christians to receive Holy Communion. You do not need to be Episcopalian. If you are not baptized or do not wish to receive Communion, you are still warmly invited to come forward for a blessing. Local practices may vary slightly, so simply follow the congregation or ask an usher or clergy member for guidance.
6. What is the Book of Common Prayer?
The Book of Common Prayer is the primary worship book of the Episcopal Church. It contains services for Holy Communion, Baptism, marriage, funerals, confirmation, daily prayer, and other occasions. It also includes prayers, Psalms, historical documents, and summaries of our faith. It helps Episcopalians pray together while connecting our worship with centuries of Christian tradition.
7. Do Episcopalians believe the Bible?
Yes. Scripture is central to Episcopal worship, theology, and spiritual life. Several passages of the Bible are normally read aloud every Sunday. Episcopalians take Scripture seriously while recognizing that faithful Christians may sometimes interpret particular passages differently. We read the Bible prayerfully within the community of faith, drawing upon Christian tradition, scholarship, experience, and reason as we seek God's wisdom.
8. Are women and LGBTQ+ people welcome in the Episcopal Church?
Yes. Women serve throughout the Episcopal Church as bishops, priests, deacons, and lay leaders. LGBTQ+ people participate fully in the life and leadership of the Church, and the Episcopal Church provides marriage rites for same-sex couples. Individual congregations can differ in culture and perspective, but the wider Church seeks to respect the dignity of every human being.
9. Do I have to become an Episcopalian to attend?
Absolutely not. You are welcome whether you are a lifelong Christian, returning to church after many years, exploring Christianity for the first time, coming from another tradition, uncertain about what you believe, or simply curious. There is no requirement to join. Come, worship, ask questions, meet people, and discover whether this community can become a spiritual home for you.
10. What makes the Episcopal Church different?
Episcopalians bring together ancient worship, sacramental spirituality, intellectual openness, and engagement with the world. We believe faith and questions can live together. Our tradition emphasizes Holy Communion, beautiful worship, Scripture, prayer, justice, reconciliation, and service. We do not expect everyone to think exactly alike. Instead, we gather around Jesus Christ and seek together to live his way of love.