About

The story of St. Augustine by-the-Sea is a dramatic California tale. The mild climate, rollerblades and joggers surrounding us in Santa Monica suggest a carefree way of life that belies the serious concern we show for others in our church family, and the world we live in. We are serious about both our worship and our community life, praying together and for each other, and through out many activities achieving an intimacy that many members have failed to find in other places.

We are as old as our city, as varied as its population, and engaged with its problems; notably the homeless, the sick, the elderly, and the poor. The church has a rich history of personal involvement and corporate philanthropy.

Original St. Augustine Church - St. Augustine by the Sea Episcopal Church, Santa Monica, California Our history goes back to 1875, when Episcopalians in Santa Monica grouped to form a new congregation, just as the city itself was taking shape, but it took many years to raise the $3000 necessary to build the wooden gothic-style church they envisioned. Thanks to the railroad price wars, Santa Monica's economy boomed. The town grew to 1500 permanent residents, brick building began going up, and on August 28, 1887 (the Feast of St. Augustine of Hippo, son of Saint Monica for whom our city is named), the first service was held at the newly built church.

The church continued to grow into a strong, self-assured community presence until disaster struck. On March 9, 1966, the congregation watched helplessly as an arson fire gutted the 78 year-old church. When it was over, members picked through the rubble of the interior, salvaging a few blackened artifacts and the unity needed to begin again