Grace Church is the oldest Episcopal congregation in the Brandywine Hundred. In the early 19th century, the farmers of the Hundred desired a church where they lived. The congregation was founded on December 30, 1835 in the nearby Talley School House. The old school-house was purchased, refitted for church services, and consecrated that year.

As the congregation grew, they searched for a site suitable for a new church and establishment of a cemetery. The present 10-acre site was purchased in the fall of 1872, and in 1874 the cornerstone of the church was consecrated. The first service of worship and dedication took place July 4, 1875. The low stone wall bounding the front of the property on Concord Pike remains intact from the late 19th century.

The first rectory was built on the northeast corner of the property in 1884, funded by a Philadelphia family. The original rectory was demolished and the current one was built in 1929.  The building is no longer a rectory and serves as church offices and meeting space.

An addition was added in 1928 on the north side of the church and dedicated the next year. It included a Fellowship Hall and classrooms. As the congregation expanded, a second, two-story wing was added on the back and completed in 1952.

The post World War II-era saw explosive growth of housing developments in the Brandywine Hundred and of the congregation. Ground was broken in 1959 to build a new, larger church (Big Church) and breezeway connecting it the original church, now the chapel, and the first service was held Christmas Eve 1960, with the congregation seated on folding chairs. It was dedicated on March 5, 1961.

On Pentecost of 2003, a new stained-glass window, the “Tree of Life,” a contemporary rendering of a cross as a tree, was dedicated, replacing a partition that divided the Narthex from the sanctuary.

 Our large digital sign in front of the church was installed in 2008 and provides visibility to travelers on Concord Pike and brings attention to our programs.