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.
Welcome to St. Thomas' on the Bayou
Rev. Rita Jefferson welcomes you to St. Thomas' on the Bayou Episcopal Church.
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 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: Offering a walking path and onsite food pantry; supporting the Louisiana Food Bank, Grace Place Ministries and the University of Louisiana at Monroe.
- A Collaborative Community: Working with the wider Episcopal Church and our local sister churches.
Our History and Heritage
St. Thomas' on the Bayou has long served as a spiritual landmark in Monroe, Louisiana. Now 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 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 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 Leadership & Staff
Clergy and Staff
- 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/pastoral care.
- Deacon Bette J. Kauffman, Ph.D. - Canterbury Chaplain | An active participant in the college community, Deacon Bette plans the weekly gathering of college students for worship followed by a meal.
- Karen Hayward - Parish Coordinator | A retired educator, Karen coordinates all activities and functions of the church.
Lay Leadership & Vestry
- Senior Warden: Kelly Koch
- Vestry Members: Carl Brown, Kelly Koch, Marana Parker, Ann Ryland, Pat Ryland, Tom Rocconi
- Vestry Clerk: Mary Frances Rocconi
- Treasurers: Mike Kidd and Sharon Jackson
- Musician: Eddie Patterson
- Team Leaders: Mike Kidd – Building and Grounds, Kelly Koch - Communications, Marana Parker - Hospitality/Social Events, Outreach - John Posey, Janis Babb - Youth Ministry, Karen Hayward - Worship
The Vestry
- The Vestry: The elected governing board of the church consist of specific members who rotate on a three year schedule.
- 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 musician.
- Canterbury at ULM is part of the Episcopal Church's outreach to college students.
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 honoring our elders' wisdom while creating space for the energy and questions of our youth.
- We are lovingly inclusive; believing that every person is a beloved child of God, and welcoming all without exception or judgment.
- We are mission-minded and locally-focused, committing to service toward our Monroe neighbors through Grace Place and other hands-on ministries.
- We have an onsite food pantry, giving access 24/7 to those in need.
- Our 1/3 mile walking path with our pavilion and pier, offering peaceful respite for all our neighbors.
- We are a community of the “Middle Way,” embracing the tension of different perspectives and welcoming 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 dedicated to 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 - Seeds are Planted: Following a period of post-war growth, 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.
- 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.
- 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 - Finding a Home on the Water: The decision that a larger facility necessitating a move to a new location began with a capital fund drive for a church at 3706 Bon Aire Drive along Bayou DeSiard near ULM.
- 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.
- 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.
- Growth in Ministry: The parish establishes itself as a hub for local outreach, renewal opportunities, and youth ministries.
- 2015 - Strengthening Bonds: St. Thomas' enters a new era of “collaborative ministry.” Recognizing their shared roots, St. Thomas', St. Alban's, Grace Episcopal 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.