Wade Chestnut Memorial Chapel

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Wade Chestnut Memorial Chapel

Welcome to the Wade H. Chestnut Memorial Chapel, an Episcopal Chapel in North Topsail Beach, NC. The Wade H. Chestnut.

It is the mission of the Wade Chestnut Memorial Chapel to spread the Good News of God’s work to all on Topsail Island and to provide opportunity for the continued sharing of spiritual growth. Chestnut Chapel was built in 1957 in the historic Ocean City Community which dates back to 1949. The Chapel was named in memorial of Ocean City's founder Wade H. All are welcome to attend the chapel services. For more information about services, please visit: https://wadechestnutchapel.org/services/

09/16/2025

Ocean City Family…
Mark your calendars and let’s plan to come together at the Chapel for this special memorial for Wade Chestnut, III, on September 27th 🙏🏾🙏🏿🙏🏻

From Ken Chestnut:

Wade H. Chestnut, III, passed away peacefully at his home in Raleigh, North Carolina, on June 28, 2025. A Memorial Service will be held at the Wade H. Chestnut Memorial Chapel on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at 12:00p.

A repast, a time for us to come together as a family and as a community, will be held in the Community Center following the service.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in memory of Mr. Wade H. Chestnut, III, to the Wade H. Chestnut Memorial Chapel, P.O. Box 1207, Sneads Ferry, North Carolina, 28460. Your support and contributions are deeply appreciated.

08/29/2025

Labor Day weekend is bittersweet for everyone at Chestnut Chapel. While it is the last Sunday of the season, it is also the Sunday that we welcome Reverend Pam Stringer back to the chapel 💕

Reverend Pam has been worshipping with us most summers since 2001. Back then she was “just around the corner“ in Hampstead. Nowadays she makes the 3000 mile, cross country trip from San Juan Island, WA to be with us on our closing weekend.This year, she will be bringing a new fur-baby, Miss Chloe, along with her!!

We look forward to seeing Rev. Pam, Miss Chloe, and all of you on Sunday at 11am🙏🏽🙏🏿🙏🏼
Followed by refreshments and fellowship in the community center. Then, perhaps some beach time. ☀️🏖️☀️

08/22/2025

This Sunday, we’re so happy to welcome The Rev. Cheryl A. (Toni) Belhu back to Chestnut Chapel 🙏🏾🙏🏻🙏🏽

Reverend Belhu is the rector at St. Francis and St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Churches in Rutherfordton, NC in the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina. Toni received her M.Div. with a concentration in Latinx Ministry from Seminary of the Southwest (SSW) in Austin, Texas in 2021.

Prior to attending seminary, Toni retired from Bridgestone Americas, Inc. after her 22-year career working primarily in human resources and talent development at four locations including the US headquarters in Nashville, TN. Toni is a veteran of the U.S. Army and served almost ten years as both an enlisted soldier and military officer. She is a widow and has three adult sons who live in Washington and Tennessee.

We’ll see you at 11am for service, followed by food and fellowship. Then, maybe some beach time!🏖️ ☀️ 🐚

08/15/2025

This Sunday, The Reverend Kathleen (Kathy) Walker returns to Chestnut Chapel!

Reverend Walker is the Canon Missioner for Black Ministries in the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina. She previously served as the associate rector for pastoral care and parish life at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Tallahassee, Florida, though her call to church leadership and ministry is one she has answered her entire life. Prior to becoming a member of the clergy, over her lifetime she has served as a licensed lay reader, a lay Eucharistic minister, vestry member and church officer. She was instrumental in the founding of the David Henry Brooks chapter of Union of Black Episcopalians in the Diocese of Florida, and while serving as its president organized multiple forums about the future of Black churches.

Kathy believes strongly in the honoring and continuity of Black churches and hopes in her new role to help as many as possible not only survive, but flourish. She also wants to work with congregations to deepen their churches’ roots in the communities they already serve so well, and build leadership opportunities in the Church for future generations.

Join us for Service at 11am, followed by food and fellowship in the community center 🙏🏽🙏🏻🙏🏾

08/08/2025

Chestnut Chapel is delighted to welcome back Rev. Skip Walker on Sunday, August 10. Service begins at 11am followed by refreshments after the service in the community center.

Skip was appointed by Bishop Robert Skirving to serve as Coordinator of Ministry with People of African Descent, a new position in the Diocese of East Carolina. As a part of this full-time position, Skip serves as priest-in-charge with two of East Carolina’s historic black congregations, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Wilmington and St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church in Fayetteville. In his work with the wider diocese, Skip supports the leadership of each of the diocese’s six historic black congregations and supports the people and staff of the diocesan in striving to live into the fourth of our mission priorities, which proclaims that we have discerned that God’s Holy Spirit is calling us to “heal by advocating for justice and peace for all of God’s children, working together to remove obstacles that prevent equitable access to resources, while building bridges of reconciliation for the divisions between us."

We look forward to having Skip and the members of St. Joseph’s and St. Mark’s worshipping with us on Sunday.

All are welcome 🙏🏿🙏🏼🙏🏽

08/01/2025

Chestnut Chapel is so pleased to welcome The Rev. Milton C. Williams, Jr., this Sunday!

Father Williams is the rector of St. Francis Episcopal Church, Greensboro. A
native of Suffolk, Virginia, Father Williams earned a B.S. degree from Virginia State University
in 1983, and his M.Div. from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1987 and a Diploma
in Anglican Studies from Virginia Theological Seminary in 1995. He has served as a missionary
in South Brazil and Fairbanks, Alaska. From 1988 to 1990 he taught at the University of South
East Asia and Pui Ching Middle School in Macau, South East Asia.
Father Williams served as priest associate at the Historic Pohick Episcopal Church, Fairfax
County, Virginia, from 1996 to 1999 and as priest associate for pastoral care and outreach at
Trinity Church, Wall Street, NY, from 1999 until 2006. In 2002 Father Williams was appointed
to work with the Michael Bloomburg’s administration for the redevelopment of lower
Manhattan. From Trinity he headed south and served two parishes in Washington, D.C., St.
Timothy's and St. Monica and St. James, Capitol Hill. Following Washington, D.C., he served as
interim rector at Church of the Ascension, Chicago, afterwhich he was appointed as Dean-in-
charge of St. James Cathedral, Chicago, from 2012 to 2015.
Father Williams serves on the Board of Trustees for the Diocese of North Carolina. He is a
member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Father Williams enjoys travel, hiking and music.

Join us for service at 11am🙏🏼🙏🏽, followed by refreshments and community time 💕. Then maybe some relaxation on the beach 🏖️

All are welcome!

07/25/2025

Have you had the absolute pleasure of hearing The Right Reverend Robert Wright speak the gospel? If you have, you know 🙏🏼 If you haven’t, join those of us who will fill our cup this Sunday ☀️

Here’s what to know about Rev. Wright…

The Rt Rev. Robert Wright became the 10th bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta in 2012. Since his election, he has been a vocal and active leader in the community, addressing the Georgia legislature about gun control, advocating against the death penalty, and supporting programs for underprivileged youth. He teaches about the importance of love and of justice and continues to lead the diocese to be one of service and faith and always on the mission for the Kingdom of God.

Worship service is at 11. Followed by food and fellowship. Then stay for some beach time. 🏖️ ☀️ 🌊

07/18/2025

Chestnut Chapel continues to be blessed with returning priests and this Sunday we’re so pleased to welcome back The Reverend Jody Greenwood 💕

The Rev. Jody Greenwood has served as Rector of Church of the Servant in Wilmington, NC, since September of 2017. She spent most of her life in Houston, Texas, then moved to Atlanta to earn her Master of Divinity from Candler School of Theology at Emory University. Rev. Jody was ordained in the Diocese of Atlanta in 2013 by Bishop Rob Wright, fulfilling her lifelong dream of being an ordained priest. Jody is passionate about racial equity, radical hospitality, and making Jesus’ message accessible to all!!

So come to hear a good word at 11am, stay for a community time afterward and then spend the afternoon at the beach! 🏖️ ☀️ 🌊

07/11/2025

This Sunday The Reverend Hershey Mallette Stephens will be back with us! Here’s what’s to know about Reverend Stephens:

The Rev. Hershey Mallette Stephens is a native North Carolinian. Baptized and raised at St. Ambrose Church in Raleigh. She served in the Presiding Bishop’s Office of Evangelism, where she was Project Lead for the Beloved Community Storysharing Campaign. This work afforded her the joy and opportunity to hear stories of faith, race and discovery from Episcopalians of all ages and backgrounds from all over the country.
Rev. Hershey enjoys listening and learning from children and young people, dreaming up new and fresh ways to tell the story of God in Christ, and creating celebrations! Her call to engage youth and young adults around spiritual practice, Anglican identity and religious thought has led her to work in the Episcopal Church through out the United States, as well as in the broader the Anglican Communion.
She now serves as Dean of the Chapel at Saint Augustine’sUniversity, in her hometown of Raleigh, North Carolina. Hershey lives with her husband Rob Stephens, and their sons Jeremiah and Alan.

Hershey describes her spiritual journey as a life spiraling in control. Through the influences of sage grandparents and elders, many wise priests, loving friends and family, and spirit-filled communities both spiritual and secular she is met and guided by God’s immeasurable grace each and every day!

We hope you’ll join us in welcoming Reverend Stephens and her family this Sunday at 11am for service, followed by refreshments and fellowship in the community center 🙏🏾😊🙏🏼

07/03/2025

It’s JAZZ FEST time!! Which means Jazz Mass this Sunday under the big tent led by Reverend Jemonde Taylor 🙌🏼

Here’s a little bit about Reverend Taylor:
Since 2012, the Reverend Robert Jemonde Taylor has served as the eleventh rector of Saint Ambrose Episcopal Church, Raleigh, NC, founded in 1868. In April 2025, he received Raleigh's Environmental Stewardship Award. In 2022, he received Sewanee’s School of Theology Award for Service and the Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Sabbatical Grant. Jemonde is a trustee for the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest, Austin, TX. Jemonde is a member of a five person team that received a $400,000 grant from the Henry Luce Foundation to convene the Art of Soul Kollective, a nationwide gathering of artists, theologians, and clergy commissioned to produce artwork related to gentrification, race, and Christian practice. He’s married to Kierson Taylor, and they have two children.

Join us Sunday, July 6 under the big tent across the street from the church!

10:30 AM Free Jazz Concert-St. Ambrose Musicians

11:00 AM-12:00 Noon-Jazz Mass Worship Service featuring the St. Ambrose Musicians

All are welcome!! 🙏🏼🙏🏽🙏🏾🙏🏿

06/27/2025

This Sunday we’re so happy to welcome The Reverend Reggie Payne-Wiens back to Chestnut Chapel! Reverend Reggie is Vicar at Chapel of Christ the King in Charlotte, NC. Our service starts at 11am, followed by light refreshments and continued fellowship in the community center. We hope you will join us!!! 🙏🏻😇🙏🏽

06/20/2025

It’s such a JOY, as always, to welcome The Rev. Bonnie J. Smith back to Chestnut Chapel this Sunday!! Reverend Smith first came to Chestnut Chapel in 1991, when she became priest-in-charge of St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church in Kinston, NC, one of the historic African-American churches in the Diocese of East Carolina. Parishioners Mrs. Virginia Payton and Attorney Harvey and Mrs. Eloise Beech, longtime members of the Ocean City community, invited her to join them for St. Augustine’s annual Beach Sunday. Mrs. Caronell Chestnut was also a very gracious host. Bonnie is so thankful for the continuing ministry and hospitality of the Ocean City community.
Bonnie was born in Washington, D. C. and raised in Columbia, SC, where she and her family were active members of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. She received a B. A. with Honors in Religion from Converse College and a Master of Divinity from Yale Divinity School.
Bonnie was ordained deacon in 1983 and priest in 1984, the second female priest ordained in the diocese of Upper South Carolina. After ordination she served as priest-in charge of three churches in the Diocese of South Carolina.
In 1989 Bonnie moved to Goldsboro, NC. Since then, she has served as priest in charge of St. Augustine’s in Kinston, Holy Innocents Episcopal Church in Seven Springs, and St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church, Windsor, NC.
At the diocesan level, she served as Co-Chair of the Racial Reconciliation Commission, Chair of the Commission on Ministry, Dean of the Trinity Deanery, and member of Executive Council. In 2022 she retired and returned to Goldsboro.
Bonnie’s family includes two adult children, a son-in-law, and a new grandson born December 2024. In retirement she enjoys spending time with family and friends, continuing violin lessons, and attending NC Symphony concerts and Carolina Hurricanes games.

Join us for Service at 11 am 🙏🏼 Followed by refreshments and fellowship in the community center 💗

Address

2649 Island Drive, Or Send Mail To:, PO Box 1207 Sneads Ferry
North Topsail Beach, NC
28460

Opening Hours

11am - 12pm

Website

http://wadechestnutchapel.org/

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