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During the early 1940's local Episcopalians traveled
to Destin by boat to attend church service. As the number of parishioners increased
they met in the home of W.C. Harbeson in Fort Walton Beach. Growth continued and
the parish moved again, to a nearby schoolroom.
Mission status was received July 14th, 1945 and the Reverend Charles O. Farrar was
called to be the first vicar of St. Simon's on the Sound.
That same year Liza Jackson donated the property where the current church now stands.
The nave was completed in 1949 and in 1956 the mission became a self-supporting
parish.
An arsonist set fire to the church in 1965 which completely destroyed the nave.
After the restoration, a "Tau" cross was placed above the altar. Proportioned to
the configuration of an early Roman crucifix, this cross has a aureole surrounding
it. The aureole symbolizes the risen Christ.
St. Simon's hosted the Diocesan Convention in 1982. A replica of the wooden cross
that once stood on the shore behind the church was used in the city auditorium where
the majority of the convention took place. That same cross now overlooks the Sound
at the south side of the church. Easter sunrise services are held there as well
as being a quiet place for all Ft. Walton residents.
During 1987 the chapel and columbarium were constructed. Many services are conducted
in the chapel, including baptisms, weddings, funerals and weekday healing services.
The extensive damage to the church caused by Hurricane Opal necessitated the cancellation
of plans to host the 1996 Diocesan Convention. A Capital Campaign began in 1997.
This made possible the newly expanded and renovated facility now in place. Groundbreaking
took place Easter Sunday 1998 and construction was completed in the summer of 1999.
St. Simon's continues to be a Christ centered, faith oriented, servant community
aided by the wonderful new church building.
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