St. Martin’s Episcopal Church

Established as a mission station in 1868, meeting at different locations in Hamilton. Admitted to the Episcopal Convention in 1873. Consecrated in 1882.

St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, established as a mission station in 1868, meeting at different locations in Hamilton. St. Martin’s was admitted to the Episcopal Convention in 1873. Work to construct the Church building began in 1880 and St. Martin’s was consecrated on May 17, 1882.

Pictures can be taken of the exterior of the Church at any time. St. Martin’s is open to the public upon request and several times each year during community events (Christmas parade, Christmas at St. Martin’s service, Veteran’s Day, summer festival, Fort Branch annual Civil War Battle Re-enactment).

If the walls of St. Martin’s could talk they would tell of the great efforts of Mary A. Boyle (Mrs. John McClung Boyle) and others to have the Church founded. Mary A. Boyle, a native of Wales, moved to Hamilton with her family during the Civil War. She immediately started to organize the church and with the approval of the Bishop, began to appeal for funds to construct the present church building. Local materials were used for the construction except for the ball and stained glass, which were imported from England. Vestrymen at the time of the construction were also active in the growth and prosperity of the town of Hamilton. Many eastern North Carolina families share a connection to St. Martin’s.

If the walls of St. Martin’s could talk they would tell of the great efforts of Mary A. Boyle (Mrs. John McClung Boyle) and others to have the Church founded. Mary A. Boyle, a native of Wales, moved to Hamilton with her family during the Civil War. She immediately started to organize the church and with the approval of the Bishop, began to appeal for funds to construct the present church building. Local materials were used for the construction except for the ball and stained glass, which were imported from England. Vestrymen at the time of the construction were also active in the growth and prosperity of the town of Hamilton. Many eastern North Carolina families share a connection to St. Martin’s.

St. Martin’s is located at 205 South Front Street (Highways 903 and 125) in Hamilton, NC. This is a main thoroughfare through the town and is often traveled by tourists traveling from Interstate 95 to the NC coast.

Members of the Historic Hamilton Commission conduct tours to groups whenever requested. Hours are 10 am to 4 p.m. Anyone interested in a guided tour of St. Martin’s should contact Irene Johnson at 252.798.4481 or 252.809.2043 for an appointment.

A key to the Church is available Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Everett Insurance Agency located at 103 West Liberty Street and at the Hamilton Town Hall, both located in the center of town. Contact information is posted on the front of St. Martin’s.

The quant, simple beauty of St. Martin’s, both inside and out, and the historic significance set the Church apart from others churches in the area. The Church is well-maintained and in excellent condition. The original furnishings remain intact in the Church.

St. Martin’s architecture is magnificent! The carved woodwork and the design of the ceiling are two outstanding features of the building that marvel both historians and the general public. The well-preserved, original stain glass windows are another beautiful feature of the Church. The huge triple stained glass window over the alter was imported from England with a stained glass ball above the window. The original pump organ continues to be played at the annual Christmas service held the second Friday evening in December. This is a traditional Episcopal Christmas service, which has been held for over thirty years.

In 2005 David Hewsen, an accomplished artist from Southern Pines, NC was commissioned to paint two five by eight feet gilded panels, which hang on each side of the Church. One panel is of the baptism of Jesus Christ; the second panel shows St. Martin sharing his cloak with a beggar. The paintings are an awe-inspiring addition to the reverent nature of the Church. The panels were installed in November 2006.

In recent years, weddings have been held at the Church, offering couples a simple yet stunning place to exchange their vows. St. Martin’s has also hosted a number of Christian concerts, which have been open to the public free of charge.