In May 1867, as the Union Pacific Railroad laid tracks west of the frontier town of North Platte, the first worship services were held in a North Platte hotel. In the early 20th century, Church of Our Savior provided worship space for the Orthodox Christians of the community.
In 1925, missionary work among the many Japanese families in the area began. Hiram Hisanori Kano, who came to Nebraska through William Jennings Bryan to study agriculture at the university in Lincoln, began the work as a layperson, and was ordained an Episcopal priest in 1936. St. George’s Mission, a Japanese Episcopal Church, provided excellent ministry from 1942 until its merger with Church of Our Savior in 1957. The chapel in our current building (1964) is named for St. George and Father Kano is now celebrated as a saint of the Episcopal Church. An icon in the back of the church tells his remarkable story of faith and service. A History Nebraska roadside marker just outside the chapel, on Fourth Street, tells the story of Fr. Kano's life and ministry. For more about Fr. Kano, click here.
In the 21st century, we continue to be a place of welcome for ALL people, embracing the diversity of God’s wonderful creation. Since 2012 our Wednesday community meal has grown to provide a free, home-cooked meal for 200 people per week Since 2023, Episcopal Extras has provided health and cleaning supplies to hundreds of households each year.
Join us for worship and service to the community as your story and God’s story of love for humankind continues to unfold.