About Us

Parish picnics, Daughters of the King, creating stepping stones for a new walkway, outdoor services, greening the church, and Christmas Eve service are just a few of our recent activities with our church family.

Our Divine Purpose

The Parish of the Holy Communion, also known as the Church of the Frescoes, exists as a witness to God’s grace. We offer a welcoming environment in order to serve each other and those in our wider community with gratitude and generosity, recognizing the gifts of those present among us as we continue to grow in our faith and commitment to Jesus Christ.

WE BELIEVE, walking in the path of Jesus, that we are called to respect and welcome the diversity of both our congregation and our local community. We are called to be attentive to the needs and strengths of all, affirming that each person brings beauty and unique gifts that reveal God’s goodness.

WE WORSHIP in an orderly, participatory manner in common with Episcopal/Anglican churches everywhere. We are a congregation, not an audience. Our worship is varied and reverent, yet somewhat informal. We use musical and liturgical resources, traditional and contemporary, with language that is inclusive of all persons. Our worship calls and directs us to service, to go in peace to love and serve the world and each other.
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WE SERVE and support one another with prayers, visits, and contributions in times of need. Mindful of the needs of our community, we offer hands-on service and financial support to agencies in Ashe County and internationally. We serve the world at large through the 24/7 ministry of the frescoes inviting people to discover the presence of God, attracting visitors and pilgrims from around the world. 

The Frescoes!

The Last Supper

Holy Trinity Church in Glendale Springs, NC was officially closed in 1946. After the church closed, members began removing the furnishings and taking them home. For over 30 years, the church sat deserted and neglected – windows broken and trash piled inside and out. Father Hodge started a campaign to restore the old church in the late 1970s. As work progressed on the building, the original furnishings were returned. Today, the church has its original pews,  Altar, and candle stands.

In 1980, Benjamin F. Long (Ben) painted the “The Lord’s Supper” fresco behind the Altar at Holy Trinity. Ben and 20 of his students spent three months completing the fresco while the church was still undergoing renovations. Area residents began taking an interest in what was taking place and were supportive of the work. The churches of the community (regardless of denomination) offered to feed the artists – creating a bit of competition for the best meal served. Local people served as models for all the biblical figures except the waiting maid, Judas, Thomas, and Christ. Ben was the model for Thomas. In a scrip at the right of the foot-washing bowl, Ben painted a dedication to his father, who died just as the fresco was being completed.

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​Mystery of Faith, 1977

In the spring of 1972, Father J.  Faulton Hodge met the artist, Benjamin F. Long (Ben), at the home of Phillip Moose, a prominent artist in Blowing Rock. Mr. Moose and Father Hodge discussed for 15 minutes the plan of Ben building the fresco for free. In the spring of 1974, Ben contacted Father Hodge, saying he was ready to do the fresco they had discussed.
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In the summer of 1976, Ben returned to paint John the Baptist. The Mystery of Faith was done in the summer of 1977. It is said that Ben never quit working on the fresco even during the middle of church. He did stop to accept communion but then went right back to painting.

Our History - Established in 1976

​The Episcopal Parish of the Holy Communion has a long history in Ashe County and enjoys a unique situation among Episcopal parishes: It is comprised of two churches, St. Mary’s in West Jefferson and Holy Trinity in Glendale Springs, and these churches contain world-famous art works. In the late 1800’s, Episcopal missionaries came to this region to provide schooling and medical help for the people living there. Holy Trinity Episcopal Church was built in Glendale Springs in 1901, and St. Mary’s Episcopal Church was built in 1905 near West Jefferson. Episcopal missionaries from Valle Crucis held services at various locations in Ashe County as early as 1852, but no continuing presence of the Episcopal Church existed until 1895 when 19 candidates were presented for confirmation. St. Mary’s was originally called the Church of St. Simon the Zealot, but its name was changed to St. Mary’s in 1903. The construction on the present St. Mary’s was begun in 1905 with consecration of the completed church in 1906. In 1900, construction started on a church on 12 donated acres in Venus, now Glendale Springs, and was a mission of St. Paul’s of Wilkesboro. The Mission House was built in 1913, housing a school tended by women missionaries from the Episcopal Church Army. From 1934 until 1971, the Episcopal Church was served by priests whose primary responsibilities were elsewhere. The Rev. Faulton Hodge became priest-in-charge at St. Mary’s in 1972. Not only did Father Hodge bring new life to this small church, but his interest in art also led to a meeting with Ben Long and the creation of Long's first full wall frescoes, which have, over the years, made these two churches famous and an attraction for thousands of visitors annually. Since Father Hodge retired in 1986, the Parish has been served by The Rev. Robert Crewdson, The Rev. Steve Miller, The Rev. Kimberly Becker, and The Rev. Steve Sedgwick. The Rev. Dr. T. Perry Hildreth currently serves as priest-in-charge.