Our History
Grace Episcopal Church was founded in 1839. In 1875, Grace Mission was organized. The following year, a frame church building was erected on N. Walnut Street at a cost of $650 (worth $6,633.40 in 2025).
The building was moved to the corner of Adams and Mulberry in 1881 and then to Adams and Madison and then a bit farther west in the same block to its present location.
The parish was admitted to the Diocese of Indianapolis in 1882.
The vibrant stained-glass windows, manufactured by New York’s Payne Spiers Studio, were installed in the early 1940s.
Several remodeling projects were undertaken beginning in 1969. First the entrance formerly facing north on Adams Street was changed to facing east, and the interior was adapted to better accommodate the rood screen when the altar was moved away from the wall.
The organ was built by the Gabriel Kney Company of London, Ontario, and installed in 1972.
Grace’s Lich Gate
Maitlen Rood Screen
The Lich Gate, Sanctuary Lamps, Rood Screen, Hymn Board, and Pulpit of the Beatitudes are the work of Edward Maitlen, a long-time member of the parish and a nationally recognized iron designer and craftsman. They were moved from the original building and continue to adorn the worship space to this day.
The Baptismal Font has an oak canopy designed and made by the father of another long-time rector, Marshall Day, and Edward Maitlen added the cross.
The Christmas Message Carvings were also designed by Maitlen in collaboration with his daughter, Mrs. Richard (Harriett) Thomas.
The front entrance bookcases were salvaged from the original library, as well as the floorboards for the new Fellowship Hall. Even the rafters from the original attic were installed in the 2006 renovation to further incorporate our history into our new growth.
One of our members, the late Anne Schaller, designed colorful needlepoint altar rail kneelers, which were stitched by parishioners. They depict the seasonal birds and flowers found in this area with superimposed religious symbols, and add beauty and grace to the kneelers at the altar.
The question of moving to a suburban location was raised in 1997, leading to the formation of a Facilities and Location Task Force. A year-long process of study and discernment involving the entire parish led to two clear-cut decisions.
The first was to remain in our present location; the second was to undertake significant renovations of our historic building.
A plan was developed to demolish the building sections that had been added over the years, build a new education and administrative wing, renovate the parish hall, and enhance the sanctuary and nave. Ground was broken in 2001 and completed in 2002.
This renovation has provided a significant contribution to our neighborhood:
- The Perkins House, formerly the rectory next door, was re-purposed into a facility to serve seniors and operated independently as the Alpha Services. The building is now rented to a woman run local business.
- We created a ministry of weekly community meals, known as Gathering Grace, in the new Fellowship Hall space. We also open our doors for special events throughout the year, as we seek to serve those in our surrounding neighborhood and greater Muncie.
Closeup of Pulpit with the letters I. H. S., standing for ‘Iesus Hominum Salvator’ in Latin. In English this means ‘Jesus Savior of Mankind.’
Today, Grace continues its rich history of community involvement,
serving those in need, and welcoming all in the Muncie area to
join us in worship and fellowship.