Who We Are

Our Divine Purpose Statement

We are here to love and serve the Lord by loving and serving one another.

WE BELIEVE we are a welcoming, non-judgmental, loving, special place to meet God who is love.

WE WORSHIP God in a simple manner through a variety of forms, changing the ritual as the church seasons change. Worship is centered around the Word of God and the Eucharist.

WE SERVE anyone who's hungry, either spiritually or physically, following God's command to love all our neighbors.

Our History

Episcopalians have a deep connection and long history with the community of Gaffney. On April 27, 1880, the cornerstone for The Episcopal Church of the Incarnation was laid at the corner of Buford and Brown Streets in Gaffney. In 1960, the present church building on College Drive was constructed.

Some of our highlights:

1945 - Incarnation was home to the first chapter of Alcoholics Anonymous in Gaffney.
1980’s - Incarnation operated a preschool program that cared for many of Gaffney’s littlest ones.
1980 - Incarnation hired the first woman ordained to the priesthood in the Diocese of Upper South Carolina, the Rev. Mellie Hickey.
1990’s - Incarnation started the Gaffney Soup Kitchen

Of course, the history of any living institution is never complete. Incarnation continues to worship and to serve, to be the Incarnation of Jesus Christ in our community. We invite you to join your history with ours as we continue to grow together.

Core Practices

Worship

Our 8:30 service is quiet, contemplative and intimate. The 10:30 service includes beautiful music, prayer, relevant preaching, and a table open to all God's children. We joyfully "worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness" (Psalm 96:9).

Formation

Lifelong formation for all from infants to adults offers opportunities to "bear fruit and become disciples" (John 15:8). We grow as individuals; we nourish one another and receive nourishment.

Service

We strive to follow Jesus' example of humble service to others. As Jesus insisted, "whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant" (Matthew 20:26).

Welcome from the Rector

The Rev. Jenny Gettys

YOU are invited to be part of the Incarnation family.

If you are single, married, divorced, gay, trans, straight, black, white, use food stamps to make ends meet or are part of the 1%, you will fit in here. If you've lived in Gaffney your entire life or relocated from far away; grew up Roman Catholic, Baptist, or Episcopalian; have a deep faith or nothing but questions and doubts, you are welcome here.

In our pews you will see squirming children, sullen teens, families and retirees; blue collar, white collar, and no collar; some in suits others in jeans, and everybody belongs.