Mission Statement
St. Thomas' Episcopal Church is a community of faith bound together by God's love seeking God's grace and will for our lives.
Our History and Heritage
St. Thomas' on the Bayou has long served as a spiritual landmark in Monroe, Louisiana. Located on the tranquil banks of Bayou DeSiard at 3706 Bon Aire Drive, the church's identity is inextricably linked to the natural beauty and the “on the bayou” spirit of the region.
The church emerged as part of the mid-20th-century growth of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Louisiana. For decades, it has stood as a “pillar of support” for the university community, evolving from a local mission into a vibrant parish known for its collaborative heart. Throughout its history, St. Thomas' has maintained a unique “family” atmosphere, often sharing leadership and fellowship with sister parishes like St. Alban's, St. Patrick's and Grace Episcopal. This spirit of unity was famously exemplified by the long-standing leadership of dedicated ministry of leaders.
Presently with the addition of adjacent property, we invite all our neighbors to enjoy our 1/3 mile walking path around our shaded property with a significant portion along the bayou. Stations of the Cross along the bayou offer a spiritual tone to the experience. We also have a pier, patio and pavilion available to enjoy.
Our Mission: Faith in Action
At St. Thomas' on the Bayou, we believe that faith is a journey best taken together. Our mission is to be a welcoming, inclusive community where the love of Christ is not just preached, but practiced.
Our core values are centered on Love, Acceptance, Care, and Community. We strive to be:
- A Sanctuary of Serenity: Utilizing our beautiful location on the bayou as a space for reflection, contemplative prayer, and spiritual renewal.
- A Pillar of Outreach: Our walking path and onsite food pantry, Louisiana Food Bank, Grace Place Ministries and the University of Louisiana at Monroe.
- A Collaborative Community: to the wider Episcopal Church and our local sister churches.
Who We Are Today
Today, St. Thomas' on the Bayou remains a “community of dreamers” and doers. We offer a worship experience that honors the richness of the Episcopal tradition while remaining accessible and modern. From our praise band and praise person-led liturgies, we meet people where they are—whether they are lifelong Episcopalians or seeking a spiritual home for the first time.
We invite you to join us on the bayou, where the water is calm, the welcome is warm, and the mission is clear: to live and proclaim the love of Jesus Christ in an authentic, welcoming community.
Our Leadership & Staff
Clergy
- The Rev. Rita T. Jefferson – Priest | A visible leader in the parish and the community, Mother Rita is deeply involved in both the spiritual life of the church and local environmental stewardship (including the “Care of Creation” initiatives).
- Deacon Bette J. Kauffman, Ph.D. – Deacon and Canterbury Chaplain
Lay Leadership & Vestry
- Senior Warden: Kelly Koch
- Vestry Members: Kelly Koch, Ann Ryland, Pat Ryland, Tom Rocconi, Mariana Parker, Carl Brown.
- Musician: Eddie Patterson
- Lay Leadership: Mike Kidd – Building and Grounds Team Leader
The Vestry
- The Vestry is the elected governing board of the church. While specific members rotate annually, you can use this structure for your template:
- Senior Warden: Kelly Koch (Commonly the “Rector's Warden”).
- Junior Warden: (Responsible for the “On the Bayou” buildings and grounds).
- Vestry Members: Usually consists of 6 to 9 elected parishioners who oversee the mission and finances of the church.
Music & Ministry
- Our music is provided by our praise band.
What We Believe
- We are a Gospel-centered community, seeking to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ through Scripture, tradition, and reason.
- We are a sacramental people, finding our strength and unity in the beauty of the Liturgy and the breaking of the bread.
- We are a “Sanctuary on the Bayou,” believing that the peace and beauty of God's creation offer a unique path to spiritual renewal.
- We are a multigenerational family that honors our elders' wisdom while creating space for the energy and questions of our youth.
- We are radically inclusive; we believe that every person is a beloved child of God, and we welcome all without exception or judgment.
- We are mission-minded and locally-focused, committed to serving our Monroe neighbors through Grace Place and other hands-on ministries.
- We have an onsite food pantry, and our walking path is used by many in our community.
- We are a community of the “Middle Way,” where we embrace the tension of different perspectives and welcome honest questions over easy answers.
- We are unwavering in our commitment to the dignity of every human being, striving for justice and peace in our neighborhood and the world.
- We are unwavering in our love for one another, believing that the strongest witness to our faith is how we care for our community.
A Journey Through Time:
St. Thomas' on the Bayou
- June 22, 1954: Parishioners of Grace Episcopal Church living in the east and northeast areas of Monroe met with their rector, the Rev. John M. Allin to consider forming a mission to serve the college and Sterlington areas.
- Fall, 1954: Bishop Girault M. Jones and the standing committee of the Diocese of Louisiana approved mission status for the formation of St. Thomas Episcopal Mission.
- September 27, 1954: A barbeque was held on the farm of Mr. Jack Williams. The St. Thomas Annual Barbeque evolved from this event.
- 1955: The Seeds are Planted Following a period of post-war growth, Grace Episcopal Church in Monroe (led by the visionary Fr. John Allin) decides to “plant” three missions to serve the expanding community. St. Thomas' on the Bayou is founded this year alongside its sister churches: St. Alban's, St. Patrick's and Grace Episcopal.
- February 6, 1955: The first service of St. Thomas Episcopal Mission was held in a classroom at what is now Northeast Louisiana University by our first vicar, the Rev. Robert E. Ratelle.
- 1956–1960: Finding a Home on the Water The mission transitions from temporary meeting spaces to its permanent and iconic home at 3706 Bon Aire Drive. The choosing of this location on the banks of Bayou DeSiard gives the church its unique name and its lifelong identity as a sanctuary of natural beauty.
- St. Thomas Day, December 21, 1956: The first service in the new St. Thomas Church building, located on Filhiol Avenue was held and Bishop Girault M. Jones dedicated the building.
- April 22, 1970: St. Thomas Episcopal Mission's petition for parish status was approved by the Diocesan Convention of the Diocese of Louisiana. Our Vicar, the Rev. Richard W. Wilson became the first rector of St. Thomas Episcopal Church.
- October 2, 1974: Being free of debt, St. Thomas Episcopal Church was consecrated by Bishop Iveson B. Noland.
- St. Thomas Day, December 21, 1978: The decision that a larger facility which necessitated a move to a new location had been made and a capital fund drive for a new facility to be located on Bon Aire Drive began.
- 1979: A New Diocese is Born St. Thomas' becomes a charter parish of the newly formed Episcopal Diocese of Western Louisiana as the state's Episcopal territory is divided to better serve the growing North Louisiana population.
- 1980s–1990s: Growth in Ministry The parish establishes itself as a hub for local outreach. During these decades, St. Thomas' becomes a key supporter of Grace Place Ministries, a local non-profit dedicated to feeding and clothing those in need.
- October 9, 1983: the first services in our new facilities on Bon Aire Drive were conducted by our rector, the Rev. Harry B. Bainbridge.
- St. Thomas Day, December 21, 1983: The Rt. Rev. Willis R. Henton, the first Bishop of the Diocese of Western Louisiana, dedicated and consecrated the second building to be known as St. Thomas Episcopal Church.
- 2015: Strengthening Bonds St. Thomas' enters a new era of “collaborative ministry.” Recognizing their shared roots, St. Thomas', St. Alban's, and St. Patrick's begin working more closely together, sharing resources, joint services, and community events.
- 2020: The Virtual Sanctuary In response to the global pandemic, St. Thomas' successfully pivots to virtual ministry, establishing the “Zoom Compline” and live-streamed services, ensuring the “Sanctuary on the Bayou” remains accessible to everyone, anywhere.
- Today: Looking Forward Under the leadership of dedicated clergy, St. Thomas' continues to thrive as a parish that honors its 1955 mission roots while embracing a progressive, inclusive future for all of Monroe.