Meet St. Bartholomew's, Pittsboro

A small church with a big commitment to service

By Samantha Birchard

Located in historic downtown Pittsboro, St. Bartholomew’s Church is a small parish with a big commitment to mission. That commitment is most visible in the church’s Community Lunch, a meal served free to the public every Thursday.

The Community Lunch has been written up in news publications throughout the state and has received accolades from none other than former Bishop of North Carolina and current Presiding Bishop Michael Curry. This is probably because it so perfectly embodies the Episcopal message “All Are Welcome.”

Whether you are young or old, rich or poor, you are not a stranger at the Community Lunch at St. Bartholomew’s. The meal itself, sourced from both big businesses and local farmers, is always delicious, but it is the warm conversation among the eclectic bunch of community attendees that can’t be found anywhere but the Community Lunch.

This philosophy of feeding all who arrive at the church’s doorsteps is carried on into Sunday worship. The Gospel comes alive at St. Bartholomew’s not only through the sermons of Rector Fr. Wilberforce Mundia and Lay Minister Karen Ladd, but also through the exuberant fellowship of the congregation. John 1:7 tells us “But we walk in the light, as he is the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from sin.” The community at St. Bartholomew’s Church takes these words to heart.