Our History

“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:20

Our History



“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:20

St. Peter’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church was established in November 1959 as a Mission of the Diocese of Est Carolina with three families, six adults and six children, as her charter members. Services were conducted in the American Legion Building by visiting priests and lay readers from St. Anne’s, Jacksonville. Mr. William Noe, a seminary student, worked with the congregation in the summer of 1960.


Construction began on the present church building in the fall of 1961 and Mr. Noe was ordained as priest in the undercroft of the partially completed building in early 1962. Easter 1962 marked the first services conducted in the sanctuary. The Rev. Elmer A. Keiser served St. Peter’s from November 1963 until his retirement in 1972. He was succeeded by the Rev. W. Reed Wood, Jr., who served from 1973 to 1975. 


Father Keiser was asked to come out of retirement by the Bishop and served the congregation again from 1975 to 1976 and the arrival of the Rev. John S. Armfield, who served until his retirement in 1981. Our former office building, completed in 1981 and dedicated in memory of Father Keiser, has been used for many things including the ECW, pastoral care, funerals and bridal parties. The church sign is in honor of Father Armfield. The pews, pulpit, and other woodwork in the church were gifts from St. Mary’s, Kinston, and the altar, built in the early 1900’s, is in memory of the Rt. Rev. Alfred A. Watson, first Bishop of the Diocese.


In October, 1995, a Parish Hall was built and dedicated. It is a lovely, multipurpose building containing offices, classrooms, nursery, kitchen, dining and meeting facilities.


The Rev. M. Johnson Hagood II, a former Army Chaplain, began his tenure at St. Peter’s in late 1981 until his retirement in 2003. Fr. Bert Eaton served as Rector from 2004 until 2019. His wife, The Rev. Deacon Carol Eaton served as our deacon until Fr. Bert’s retirement, and she now serves at St. Andrew’s in Morehead City. Our beloved Fr. Bert is interned in our beautiful Memorial Garden.


The Rev. Michelle Bullock was called to St. Peter’s in January 2020. St. Peter’s has grown steadily since its small beginnings and now has over 200 members whose mission is to be a cohesive, supportive, and loving family called to serve our community. We look to the future with joyful anticipation!

Mission organized under St. Anne's, Jacksonville. In the early days, until 1962, the church met in the American Legion Hall, served by visiting priests and lay leaders from St. Anne's. The first Holy Communion was celebrated by The Rev. James D. Marrs, Episcopal chaplain at Camp Lejeune.

Admitted as an organized mission of the diocese. William S. Noe is ordained deacon and becomes Deacon-in-charge. Bishop Wright makes his first visit and confirms 10 parishioners. Catherine Leneve Milsted, daughter of Mayor Carl and Mrs. Milsted is baptized, becoming the first person baptized at St. Peter's.

Services moved to the undercroft of the church while the roof above the sanctuary was completed. William Noe was ordained to the priesthood in the undercroft on a rainy day. The first service was held upstairs in the new church on Easter Sunday, April 22. Bishop Wright dedicated the church in November.

Father Keiser becomes vicar and serves for nine years.

Father Hagood begins his twenty-two year call to St. Peter's.

Advanced from mission status to aided parish status.

Recognized as a self-supporting parish. 

Parish Hall finished and dedicated.

Mission organized under St. Anne's, Jacksonville. In the early days, until 1962, the church met in the American Legion Hall, served by visiting priests and lay leaders from St. Anne's. The first Holy Communion was celebrated by The Rev. James D. Marrs, Episcopal chaplain at Camp Lejeune.

Admitted as an organized mission of the diocese. William S. Noe is ordained deacon and becomes Deacon-in-charge. Bishop Wright makes his first visit and confirms 10 parishioners. Catherine Leneve Milsted, daughter of Mayor Carl and Mrs. Milsted is baptized, becoming the first person baptized at St. Peter's.