St Andrews By The Sea, Rye Beach, NH

08/08/2026

Thank you to all who came out for our 150th Summer Celebration! It was a grand day of community, history, tours, delicious food, and lots of fun. And thank to all the St. A volunteers who worked tirelessly to pull it all together. See you at service tomorrow at 9:30am? Our former Vicar, Rev. Rob Stevens will be presiding.

08/07/2026

My how fast the years have gone!

08/06/2026

Thank you Rye Historical Society for sharing and a HUGE thank you to NHPR for putting together this wonderful article!

St. Andrew’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church in Rye Beach held its first service in the summer of 1876. The historic chapel was built for $4,000.

08/05/2026

Hope to see you on Saturday at St. Andrew's by the Sea. 30 Church Road, Rye Beach. 10 am - 2 pm

Ok all history buffs…answers to Round Three are as follows:
Why was St. Andrew’s-by-the-Sea built as a summer-only chapel?
By the mid 1860’s there were such an influx of summer residents that they banded together to establish an Episcopal church.

The chapel bell was donated but what had to happen before the full swing of the bell was possible?
The bell was too big for it’s tower so the tower had to be enlarged. That didn’t happen until the turn of the century…in 1900 to be exact.

Here are our final questions.
7. What is the significance of the Landscape Window, the 9 foot round window in the front of the chapel?
8. What are the elements that combine to make the chapel a special place of peace and tranquility?
9. What do children like most about the chapel?

Join us this Saturday, August 8 to find out the answers to these next questions. That's when we will be celebrating our 150 summers with tours, more history, music, and food. Docents will be on hand from 10am - 1pm to discuss and share all kinds of fun and interesting historic notes about this wonderful chapel.
, , Rye Historical Society - NH

08/05/2026

Ok all history buffs…answers to Round Three are as follows:
Why was St. Andrew’s-by-the-Sea built as a summer-only chapel?
By the mid 1860’s there were such an influx of summer residents that they banded together to establish an Episcopal church.

The chapel bell was donated but what had to happen before the full swing of the bell was possible?
The bell was too big for it’s tower so the tower had to be enlarged. That didn’t happen until the turn of the century…in 1900 to be exact.

Here are our final questions.
7. What is the significance of the Landscape Window, the 9 foot round window in the front of the chapel?
8. What are the elements that combine to make the chapel a special place of peace and tranquility?
9. What do children like most about the chapel?

Join us this Saturday, August 8 to find out the answers to these next questions. That's when we will be celebrating our 150 summers with tours, more history, music, and food. Docents will be on hand from 10am - 1pm to discuss and share all kinds of fun and interesting historic notes about this wonderful chapel.
, , Rye Historical Society - NH

08/02/2026

History questions Round Three!
But first, answers to Round Two. Most of you got them...why did Mid-westerns, many from St. Louis, come to Rye in the summer? To beat the heat, of course. Those cool ocean breezes were and still are nature's air conditioning!

And the first hotel? Ephraim Philbrick built the Atlantic House, later to become The Farragut Hotel. The photo is an undated postcard of the Farragut Hotel. As a side note, did you know it was the Philbrick family who donated the land where our chapel stands today?

Drum roll please....here we go...Round Three
5. Why was St. Andrew’s-by-the-Sea built as a summer-only chapel?
6. The chapel bell was donated but what had to happen before the full swing of the bell was possible?
Tell us what you think! Back at you in few days for Round Three answers and the final round.

07/29/2026

Looks like a very interesting time!

Rye Century Walk: Learn about the hotels and boarding houses that made Rye a popular tourist destination in the 19th century

07/28/2026

History Questions. For those who answered the first questions, you are correct....Here's your answers:
#1 - The granite steps were for easy disembarking from a horse and carriage to attend services.
#2 -A lychgate is a gateway covered with a roof found at the entrance to a traditional English style churchyard and is a waiting place for the arrival of a priest to bless the coffin before entering the church yard.

Next round...
#3 - Why did people from the mid-west frequent Rye Beach in the mid-1800’s?
#4 - 4. What is the name of the first summer hotel built in Rye Beach by Ephraim Philbrick?

Post your answers now! And don't forget we're celebrating 150 years with a fun day of history, tours, and music plus the Llano & Rye food truck on Saturday, August 8 from 10 am - 2 pm. No admission and free parking, too.
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03/11/2026

Our 150th season is almost upon us, and we are hiring a Music Coordinator/Organist.
It's a wonderful opportunity for a skilled, reliable musician who enjoys thoughtful liturgy and being a part of a warm summer worship community. The role is ideal for someone who would like to fill in their summer with some part-time, seasonal work as a weekly organist and coordinator for a historic seasonal chapel. A few years experience is required.
Is this something you or someone you know is interested in? Please email [email protected] for a job description, duties, and salary parameters. We will respond asap!
Finally, please spread the word! Please share this with as many people as possible. Thank you.

03/11/2026