NATCHEZ — The annual homecoming church service and dinner on the grounds of Christ Episcopal Church in Church Hill will take place at 3 p.m. Sunday.

“Everybody is welcome,” said John Norris, member of Christ Church, the oldest Episcopal Church in Mississippi, and the homecoming event goes back decades. “Usually, it is an event that just brings the community together at the church to celebrate the importance of the church to the community,” Norris said.

Sunday’s event will feature a worship service in the 1858 Gothic Revival church that is situated on a hilltop at Mississippi 553 in Church Hill.

Following the worship service will be a feast and music on the church grounds.

“The service with Holy Communion begins at 3 p.m.,” said the Rev. Ken Ritter, vicar at Christ Church and rector of Trinity Episcopal Church. The two churches share a single mission, Ritter said.

Music by Patrick Doherty and DeVon L. Smith will take place during the service. Big Drew and the Bubbalectic duo will perform during the informal meal that follows.

“People are invited to bring their favorite vegetables, salads, breads or desserts,” Ritter said. “Meat and soft drinks will be provided.”

Although Christ Church is Episcopal, Norris said the event will be open to everyone.

A free bus will depart Trinity Church, 305 S. Commerce St., in Natchez at 2:15 p.m. sharp, Ritter said, adding that people who want to bring their own car can follow the bus.

“Or people can simply drive 18 miles north of Natchez via U.S. Highway 61 to Mississippi Highway 553,” Ritter said. “At that intersection, go 8 miles west on Highway 553. Christ Church is on the left.” 

Christ Church’s congregation, established in 1820, is the oldest in the Diocese of Mississippi, Ritter said. The current church building was erected in 1858.

Trinity Episcopal Church, established in 1822, is the second oldest in the Diocese, Ritter said.