Double the Celebration

St. Peter’s Church in Lewes Hosts

Two Major Events in One Historic Weekend

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Lewes marked Independence Day weekend with two memorable community events that celebrated both creativity and the nation’s 250th anniversary.

On Saturday, July 4, the parish hosted its 60th Annual Art Show, welcoming more than 100 fine artists to the streets surrounding the church. Despite a heat index that reached 107 degrees, hundreds of visitors spent the day browsing original artwork, meeting artists, and supporting one of Lewes’ longest-standing Fourth of July traditions. The annual show continues to be a beloved community event. Proceeds from the art show also extend the event’s impact beyond the weekend, supporting a variety of ministries and local nonprofit organizations.

The weekend concluded on Sunday with a unique colonial-era worship service commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Designed to reflect how Anglicans would have worshiped in the years surrounding the nation’s founding, the service offered a meaningful glimpse into the Church’s history.

Worship followed the 1662 Book of Common Prayer, the prayer book used throughout the colonial period. An historic 1662 edition was also on display in front of the altar. Holy Communion was celebrated using a silver communion set dating to 1770, adding another authentic connection to the era.

Many members of the congregation — including the rector — participated in the spirit of the occasion by wearing colonial-era attire, creating a visual reminder of the Church’s enduring witness through generations of American history.

Together, the art show and historic worship service offered a weekend that honored community, heritage, and faith.

Below, enjoy two 60-second video reels highlighting the Art Show and Colonial-Era Worship Service, along with a link to the full worship service for those who would like to experience this historic liturgy.