The Christ Episcopal Church in Austin was first organized in 1862, and in June of 1866 it became a parish. They outgrew their first building, which then was eventually relocated and added to the historical attractions at the Mower County Fairgrounds.

The present Christ Episcopal Church was built in 1952 and is located at 301, Third Ave. NW in Austin. The members agreed about the need for expansion in order to make the three levels more accessible to all people. Construction of an addition began on Aug. 21. The added space will house an elevator, a rector's office and a welcoming area.

"When the church was built, there was only one staircase to the second floor," Senior Warden Jean Burton said. "We had children and grandchildren in Sunday school and nursery up there, so we dreaded the very thought of fire breaking out."

One of the added safety features the building plans called for was a staircase around the elevator shaft. Having an engineering group and architectural group in the congregation helped cutting the cost when it came to adjusting and approving the plans.

"Since Jean is retired, he had time," Junior Warden Jerry Adwell said. "He's God-sent, really. His expertise has been invaluable!"

"This (accessibility) is necessary to make people welcome. It's not possible if you have to carry them up a bunch of steps," Burton said.

And making people welcome is the intended mission of this church. The Episcopal Church is a "Eucharistically-centered community of love and fellowship where hospitality is shared with visitors, friends and family," a written introduction reads.

All are parts of study, ministry and evangelism offered in Christ's name. The writing also claims, that from the Church's very beginning in Minnesota, it served the Indian people as well as the whites and still has a strong commitment and fellowship among Native Americans, which includes Native Americans serving as Episcopal priests.

A several years old tradition of Christ Church is taking food up to the migrant workers in Montgomery and assist with worship service the Sunday of their visit. Working two 12-hour shifts, they have served up to 300 people.

In Austin, they serve dinner, free to the public, on Easter Sunday. This year, nearly 200 people came. For their 66th annual Sauerkraut dinner this year, they cooked up 1,350 pounds of cabbage, 800 pork chops and who-knows-how-many sacks of potatoes. Although this annual is a fund-raiser, all proceeds go to charity, none to the church.

Austin Christ Episcopal Church is presently without a priest, but in the process of calling someone to fill the vacancy. In the meantime, Deacon Mary Francis, ordained minister, performs all duties of the priest, with the exception of the sacrament of Holy Communion, which falls only on a priest. On the board of directors sit Burton and Adwell.

A couple of Sundays a month, priests from other congregations have come to serve at Christ Episcopal.

Welcoming new members and witnessing confirmations are always joyful events.

Add to those a prominent visitor "the Bishop" and the day is destined to be a memorable experience for the entire congregation. On Sunday, James Jelinek, Bishop of Minnesota, visits Christ Episcopal Church.

It's confirmation Sunday, and two of the newest members will be confirmed by the Bishop.

Nini Johnson can be reached by e-mail at newsroom@austindailyherald.com