ASHLAND — Ashland Emmanuel Church has joined forces with St. Augustine’s Ashland to become Emmanuel Anglican Church after months of shared worship services and bible studies.
The two congregations began sharing worship services and holding a common Bible study in June. By August, the congregation of Ashland Emmanuel voted unanimously to join St. Augustine’s Ashland as one Anglican church, according to a press release.
Ashland Emmanuel Church’s roots date to the 1830s, with first building dedicated in 1875. Its current location, at 322 Cleveland Avenue, was dedicated in 1914, according to the press release.
So, the two decided to keep the historical name in place.
St. Augustine’s Ashland Mission is a church plant and mission work of St. Augustine’s Anglican Church in Westerville.
Rev. Adam Carrington, a presbyter in the Anglican Church in North American, started the church in the summer of 2024 when he and his family moved to Ashland. It began as a weekly evening prayer service in his home, according to St. Augustine’s website.
St. Augustine’s expanded to include monthly Sunday worship at the start of 2025 at Ashland Emmanuel Church, which was a Global Methodist church.
“Scripture tells us there is a time to plant … and a time to build up,” Carrington said. “This is an exciting work of both planting and building up.
“It is a blessing to see the congregations merge into one body through worship and fellowship.”
Ashland Emmanuel Church had been without pastor for over a year because the previous pastor retired and the church struggled to find a replacement, Carrington said.
So Carrington is the only ordained priest of the Anglican Church of North American, who will be leading services, but he hopes to welcome others in the future.
The first combined service was on Sept. 7. Carrington said attendance averages 40 people.
Carrington said there is lots of overlap between Anglicanism and Methodism beliefs, including commitment to the authority of scripture, Protestant roots and an emphasis on participation in church life.
He said the biggest difference is liturgy, meaning public rituals of worship, which are led according to the Book of Common Prayer.
Carrington said everyone had some concerns about the transition, but he listened and ensured that previous elements, such as bible studies and building maintenance, would remain a priority.
The merger came after the church was considering closing, Carrington said.
“We thank God for this new and renewed work of building His Kingdom here in Ashland,” Carrington said. “We will continue to seek to be the Church: preaching God’s Word, administering
“His sacraments, and loving our neighbors in the Ashland community.”
Carrington served as a Parrish in Hillsdale Michigan and taught political science at Hillsdale College for 10 years before returning to his alma mater, Ashland University, where he continues to teach politics and serves as Chaplain at the Ashbrook Center.
“I get to do something I really love,” he said.
In January, the church will be hosting confirmation classes for Sunday school, followed by a study of the Gospel of Mark.
Children are invited to full participation in worship with age-appropriate lessons offered twice monthly during the sermon, according to the press release.
