Immanuel's History

Seventy years ago, Destin was an isolated spot bound by water on three sides. There were two little back roads leading eastward toward Panama City . The first bridge to Ft. Walton was not built until 1936. The people who lived here were a hardy lot, most of whom made their living from the sea. Their faith and the desire for worship and fellowship would have its eventual expression in the form of a church named St. Andrew's By-The-Sea.

In the 1920's Episcopal services were held in a one-room schoolhouse where clergymen from Panama City would come to celebrate communion. However, it was a retired English lay missionary named Clement Taylor who faithfully taught the Bible and the Anglican tradition to the people of Destin. This scholarly and godly man laid a foundation of spirituality based on the Scriptures that is still very much a part of Immanuel Church today. When the schoolhouse burned down, services were moved to the house of a Greek shipbuilder named John G. Maltezos. In time, Captain Maltezos donated the land upon which St. Andrew's By-The-Sea was built. (Pictured: John & Isabelle Maltezo)

In 1928 a mission board was formed and in due time a modest chapel was constructed. From 1950 to 1953 the congregation was led by the Rev. Tony Diffenbaugh. The first resident priest, Father Bill Erwin, came to St. Andrew's in 1957. He was followed by Father Matthews Weller in 1965. (Pictured: Clement Taylor with unidentified woman)

The Rev. Forrest Mobley was called to serve in1969. Shortly after his arrival he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit and led the congregation into renewal and lay ministry as the parish experienced a period of phenomenal growth. In 1974, the Rev. Sandy Greene came to St. Andrew's as assistant priest and became chief pastor in 1976. In 1991 the Rev. Mike Hesse succeeded Sandy as chief pastor.

On August 27, 2000 the parish met to consider the deteriorating situation of the Episcopal Church in the U.S. After much prayer and fasting the congregation, by unanimous vote, decided to leave the Episcopal Church and be received as a missionary congregation of the Province of Rwanda in the Anglican Mission in America. Within the first month 809 individuals transferred their membership to the new work God was doing, eventually becoming known as Immanuel Anglican Church.

God continues to teach us much about trusting Him for everything. He has always met our every need. We moved into our new facilities in June 2005 on the beautiful new property the Lord provided for us. We continue to seek His will as new ministry opportunities arise. (Pictured: St. Andrews Episcopal Church early in it's history, Destin, Floirda)