If you’ve never set foot in an Episcopal church before, you’re not alone. Many people who find their way through our doors arrive curious, a little uncertain about what to expect, and quietly hoping they’ll feel welcome. The good news: you will.

Episcopal churches can feel different from what many people are used to — there’s a lot of standing, sitting, and kneeling; unfamiliar words and responses; music that sounds like it belongs in a cathedral. And in many ways, it does. The Episcopal tradition is rooted in the Anglican church of England, shaped by centuries of liturgy, choral music, and theological depth. But underneath all of that structure is something simple: a community of people trying, together, to follow Jesus.

This guide is written especially for anyone considering a visit to The Church of St. Michael & St. George in Clayton, Missouri — one of St. Louis’s most established and vibrant Episcopal congregations. Here’s everything you need to know before you walk through the door.

You Don’t Have to Know What You’re Doing

This is the first and most important thing. No one expects you to arrive knowing all the words, all the responses, or when exactly to stand and sit. Bulletins (printed service guides) are handed out at the door before every service, and they walk you through the entire liturgy from beginning to end. You can follow along completely, or simply sit and observe. Both are entirely okay.

At CSMSG, the 10:00 AM Sunday service includes a downloadable service leaflet on the church’s website if you’d like to familiarize yourself beforehand. Many first-time visitors find that helpful — but it’s absolutely not required.

What the Service Actually Looks Like

Episcopal worship follows a liturgical structure — meaning the service follows the same basic pattern every week, drawn from the Book of Common Prayer. That consistency is intentional. Over time, the rhythms of liturgy become a kind of spiritual anchor.

A typical Sunday service at CSMSG includes a processional hymn (the choir and clergy enter while the congregation sings), scripture readings from the Old Testament, the Psalms, the New Testament, and the Gospel, followed by a sermon. At CSMSG, preaching is theological and reflective, engaging both heart and mind, grounded in Scripture and tradition.

After the sermon comes the Nicene Creed, prayers for the church and world, and then the Holy Eucharist — the central act of Episcopal worship, in which bread and wine are consecrated and shared. Holy Communion is offered at all Sunday morning services to all baptized Christians. If you’re not baptized or prefer not to receive, you’re warmly invited to come forward anyway — simply cross your arms over your chest, and a priest will offer a blessing instead.

About the Music

Music is not background at CSMSG — it is woven into the liturgy itself. The church is home to a nationally recognized choir deeply rooted in the Anglican choral tradition. At the 10:00 AM Choral Eucharist, the choir leads the congregation through psalms, anthems, and service music drawn from The Hymnal 1982. The pipe organ — which the congregation is actively working to restore — is not simply accompaniment but a living part of the liturgy: the breath and voice of the worship.

If you love sacred music, this is one of the finest choral worship experiences in St. Louis. If choral music is new to you, don’t worry — the congregation sings the hymns together, and newcomers are always welcome to simply listen and take it in.

What to Wear

Episcopal churches span a wide range of dress norms, and CSMSG tends toward the traditional end of the spectrum — many worshippers dress in what you might call “Sunday best.” That said, there is no dress code, and visitors are never turned away or made to feel out of place for what they’re wearing. Come as you are.

What About Kids?

Families with children are genuinely welcome. Sunday School begins at 9:00 AM for children of all ages, alongside adult formation classes. During the 10:00 AM service, Children’s Ministry of the Word and nursery care are available, giving younger children age-appropriate ways to engage without needing to sit through a full formal service.

CSMSG also houses The St. Michael School of Clayton, an Episcopal day school on the same campus — so the connection between faith, community, and education runs deep here.

A Little History

The Church of St. Michael & St. George has deep roots in the St. Louis community. St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church was founded in Clayton in 1913, and in 1928 it merged with St. George’s Episcopal Church — which had been established in the City of St. Louis as far back as 1845 — to form the congregation as it exists today. The building on Wydown Boulevard was designed by architect James P. Jamieson, and the nave was later extended to seat 660 worshippers. The processional crosses from both original parishes are still carried in procession every Sunday morning.

When to Come

For first-time visitors, the 8:00 AM service is a good choice if you prefer a quieter, more intimate experience. The 10:00 AM service is the main Sunday gathering — more formal, with the full choir — and it’s the best way to experience CSMSG at its fullest.

You Are Welcome Here

Whatever brought you to consider visiting an Episcopal church — curiosity, a life transition, a longing for something ancient and beautiful, or a friend’s invitation — you don’t have to have it all figured out. The Episcopal tradition has always made room for questions alongside faith.

CSMSG is a community committed to growing together in faith — not through perfection, but through practice, liturgy, music, and a shared life. That’s what worship here is really about, underneath all the beauty.

Come see for yourself.