Welcome

St. Michael’s By-the-Sea Episcopal Church is the oldest church in Carlsbad. The historic chapel, built in 1894, is still in use for services.

As far as churches go, it’s kind of a beachy version of the ancient Christian Faith and is rooted in the Anglo-Catholic tradition.

Whether you’re in town for a week at the beach or a local pilgrim on a spiritual journey, you are welcome here!

Services

Sunday Mass is celebrated at 9:30am. Seating is available both inside the church and outside on the lawn.

Daily Mass is Tuesday-Friday at 12:00pm and Saturday at 5:30pm inside the chapel.

Daily Morning and Evening Prayer are online.

I like to think of St. Michael’s by-the-Sea as a lighthouse. It is a beacon of God’s Truth and Love, perched on the edge of the map to illumine the pilgrim’s path with the true light that has come into the world, Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Many faithful Christians have, and do, and will continue to call this place home. There are those who mind the lantern and love and serve God and others in this place. But there are just as many migrants seeking safe passage as they travel the road from brokenness to belief. They are on The Way, and St. Michael’s serves as a holy resting place to be refreshed and nourished.

Amidst the brokenness of humanity, and indeed, the brokenness of the Church, St. Michael’s beckons weary travelers to the beauty of this coastline, and the infinitely greater beauty of the life-giving and soul-saving gift of Our Lord Jesus Christ and his One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. He is the rock upon which this beacon is built. Whoever you are, and wherever you find yourself on your journey of faith, there is a place for you here.

Fr. Doran Stambaugh

Rector

Learn more about St. Michael’s with this eclectic conversation on the The Living Church Podcast, where Fr. Doran discusses jazz and evening prayer, pickleball courts and Anglo-Catholic liturgy.

Upcoming Events

Solemn Blog Mass

Read and pray the liturgy from home

The Third Sunday in Lent

Prelude The Lord Is My Shepherd | Garth Edmunson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9UQHlaDd30 The Great Litany O God the Father, Creator of heaven and earth,Have mercy upon us. O God the Son, Redeemer of the world,Have mercy upon us. O God the Holy Ghost, Sanctifier of...

The Second Sunday in Lent

Prelude Adagio for Strings | Samual Barber https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsb2It_kgkg Opening Hymn Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHz2Qw-gjZQ Lord, who through-out these forty daysFor us didst fast and pray,Teach us with thee to...

The First Sunday in Lent

Prelude Arioso | Johann Sebastian Bach https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIqQ_VbvFi8 The Great Litany O God the Father, Creator of heaven and earth,Have mercy upon us. O God the Son, Redeemer of the world,Have mercy upon us. O God the Holy Ghost, Sanctifier of the...

Ash Wednesday

LITURGY OF THE WORD Bless the Lord who forgiveth all our sins.His mercy endureth for ever. The Lord be with you.And with thy spirit.Let us pray. The Collect Almighty and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made and dost forgive the sins of all those who...

The Last Sunday after The Epiphany

Prelude Rejoice Greatly O My Soul | Sigfried Karg-Elert https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RBPWriuHYU Entrance Procession O Wondrous Type! O Vision Fair https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ia0tCeSI5c O wondrous type! O vision fair of glory that the Church may share,Which...

The Sixth Sunday after The Epiphany

Prelude The Lord Is My Shepherd | Garth Edmunson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bgkMYvUTDA Entrance Procession The Church’s One Foundation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bto2BsgMlhg The Church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord;She is his new creation by...