Holy Comforter Episcopal Church has been a faithful presence in Gadsden for well over a century. The first meeting to organize an Episcopal parish in Gadsden was held in the Printup Hotel in 1888. A year later, the congregation built its first wooden church on Christopher Avenue. Though beloved, the location was considered “too far from town,” and around 1901 the building was moved to the corner of Sixth and Chestnut and remodeled. That structure was partially destroyed by fire on Christmas Eve in 1918 — a moment of loss that soon gave way to renewal.

In 1920, Holy Comforter built its present brick church and a rectory at Ninth and Chestnut on land donated by the Kyle family. Early Rectors continued the pattern of growth.

From 1951 to 1977, under the long and fruitful ministry of the Rev. John T. Speaks, Holy Comforter’s outreach and vision expanded significantly in the community. The Episcopal Day School was founded in 1952. Holy Comforter House — a two-hundred-unit retirement community — was built. Land donated by Mary George and Hugh Wilmer Agricola became the Hugh W. Agricola Episcopal Day Camp. The Rev. William Spencer Holcomb served from 1978 to 1986, during which time the Episcopal Kyle Home was established and continues to serve eighteen adults with intellectual disabilities. Under the leadership of the Rev. John W. Cruse (1987–1995), the parish constructed its Great Hall, lobby, and library wing, established the Columbarium, and added an outdoor pavilion at the Day Camp.

From 1996 to 2008, the Rev. James E. Elliott, Jr. guided the parish through further growth and beautification, including the installation of new stained-glass windows, expansion of the Columbarium, and renewal of the Memorial Garden. The Rev. Joan Miller Henrick became Holy Comforter’s first female rector in 2009 and served until 2012. That same year, Holy Comforter welcomed its first deacon, the Rev. Dr. David S. Barfield. In 2013, the Rev. Dennis W. Nichols began his ministry at Holy Comforter, which was sadly cut short by his sudden passing in 2014. From 2016 to 2025, the Rev. Carl M. Saxton II served as rector. During his tenure, the sacristy was renovated and extensive restoration work preserved and strengthened the parish’s century-old building.

Today, we give thanks for our beautiful church and all who have been called to lead us through the years. We diligently maintain our parish buildings while focusing on growth within our parish and maintaining a commitment to serving our surrounding communities.