About Saint Stephen's
To invite and make disciples for Christ, and to build the body of Christ by faithfully living, teaching and serving in the power of His Word.


Rector's Corner
Love God. Love God’s people. And ALL people are God’s people.
There are many things that draw people to church. Some come to express their faith. Others come because they are unsure what to believe and are looking for more meaning in life. Still others come looking for friendship, for a chance to connect to a wider community. Some are also looking for an opportunity to serve those in need.
Whatever your reason, you’ll find a home here at St. Stephen’s. St. Stephen’s is the neighborhood church that holds you in its heart. At St. Stephen’s we honor you for who you are, just as you are. As I like to say, our goal is simple: we love God; we love God’s people, and ALL people are God’s people. We hope you can join us.
God bless you all!

Fr. Ernie +
Our Mission
"To invite and make disciples for Christ, and to build the body of Christ by faithfully living, teaching and serving in the power of His Word."
It is Our Call to Worship.
Who We Are
Stewardship Celebration
Stewardship is a grace. It is a gift from God. It is a gift that stirs us to give to others, to give of our energy, our skills, and our resources. Stewardship grows from a deep faith in God, a love for others and for the community as a whole. It goes to the very heart of what it means to be a Christian.History
The first Episcopal services were held in Gilroy in 1867. St. Stephen's became a Mission of the Diocese in 1875 and a parish in 1948. The present church was built in 1967. We have been a parish in transition from a conservative charismatic emphasis during the period of Episcopal renewal in the 70's to an emerging mainline church with a diverse population today.
Church Description
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church is located in a middle-income neighborhood, about one block from a main business street. The sanctuary is large, seating approximately 200 people. Stained glass windows surround the sanctuary with a large stained glass cross in the wall over the altar. We have a parish hall that accommodates about 150 people, several classrooms, a nursery room, and the Resource Center office. There is a central courtyard of grass and trees with play equipment for the children. The facilities are shared during the week with Boy Scouts, Venture Scouts, TOPS, Kairos Prison Ministry, Classical Conversations Home Schooling Group, Suzuki Violins, Power of Women Embracing Recovery, and Diocesan Meetings.

Worship and Religious Education
We provide a Eucharistic community to worship God with two Sunday services (8 and 10 A.M.). Sunday School is conducted during the 10 A.M. service. Each Wednesday, at noon, there is a Liturgy of Healing with the Sacraments of Holy Eucharist and Holy Unction. We hope all parishioners will develop a passion to seek spiritual growth.
Spiritual Growth
To encourage spiritual growth we have a weekly Bible study on Wednesday mornings, a weekly gathering for Centering Prayer on Tuesday afternoons, and have an active Daughters of the King chapter. Together we develop a deeper understanding for how God is working in our lives.
Prayer
The parish is active in seeing to the needs of its members. St. Stephen's provides nurturing though prayer and caring. We have a prayer chain and Lay Eucharistic Ministers take communion to those who are unable to come to services.
Music
Music is a developing ministry at St. Stephen's. We also have a newly donated live sound system. All together with our organist and bell choir we are well equipped to see what God can do with our joyful noise.
Outreach
St. Stephen's also provides resources and assistance to those in need in our community, through our Resource Center. The Resource Center is open Thursdays and is staffed by volunteers. We support Compassion Center, St. Joseph's Family Center, Episcopal Relief and Development Agency, and The United Thank Offering.