St. Ann's by-the-Sea Episcopal Church

Beautiful from the outside, and perfect location along the coast.
Apr 3rd, 2024

Beautiful views of Kennebunk Beach. Rocky coast and fun rock hunting
Mar 31st, 2024

A quintessential seaside church. You cant get more Maine than this.
Jan 18th, 2024

In Kennebunkport for the Christmas holidays 2023 and was very disappointed to find St. Anns closed. I think at the very least the church should be opened on Christmas Eve & Christmas Day.
Jan 9th, 2024

Reggie Sargent, the Sexton of the Church, called the police on me because he didnt like what I was wearing. I walked onto the grounds on a beautiful sunny day to look around with my family - no intention of going into the church and nowhere near it. At the start, I was hanging back by myself to enjoy the view, minding my business, when an older man in a jacket that identified him as working for the Church approached me, cut me off, and got in my face quite aggressively to tell me I needed to put on a jacket. (It was a warm day, I was wearing pants and a top that showed a bit of midriff and my shoulders.) He didnt specify why at first, and I, rattled by his hostility and rapid, unwelcome closeness, simply said no thank you, and kept walking. He cut me off again, this time grabbing for my arm and insisting that I needed to show some respect: I pulled away, informed him politely that I was just walking the grounds and had no intention of setting foot in the church, and kept walking. He cut me off again and continued to harass me. I stepped around him and kept moving. Only when my father and brothers noticed and approached did he back away (quickly, I might add) - a clear indicator that it was not me he respected, but rather my proximity to men. From that point, as I walked through the grounds to the other exit with my family, talking and trying to appreciate the beauty of the area, he followed us from a ways behind, staring and talking on his phone. A few minutes later, after wed already left and were walking down the road, the police pulled in. Two SUVs. As they informed me, he had specifically requested not just one, but TWO cop cars to come deal with me. Though I dont think a bigger reaction would have excused this, I want to stress that at no point did I do anything other than move away from him and politely refuse to put on my jacket - I was hot, I was not entering the church, and while I am happy to follow modesty rules in others sacred spaces, I am unwilling to be cowed by disrespect and abuse from a man who resents that he does not have power over me. I show respect as it is shown to me, and I was shown none. Not to mention, the only words I can find noting acceptable dress in the Church or on the grounds are, as taken directly from the website: Visitors are asked to wear shirts and shoes. I can confidently say I was wearing both. Maybe Im missing something, but I was raised in Episcopal school studying the Bible, and I seem to have missed the section where Jesus preached weaponizing the cops. I do, however, remember Matthew 5:28-29, where he instructed concerned men to gouge out their eyes to avoid lust, so maybe this guy should consider that route. (I got the sense that love thy neighbor might be a more difficult one for him - thought Id provide a more achievable option.) Peace and blessings.
Nov 19th, 2023