Creativity, beauty, community

Historic St. John’s, Ocean Springs, to host new Art House location

St. John’s Episcopal Church in Ocean Springs received a Conditional Use Permit from the Ocean Springs Board of Aldermen to lease the Ruddiman Building located on the church property to the Ocean Springs Art Association’s Art House. The Board, following a public hearing, gave unanimous approval for the site to be used as a retail location and event space for the Art House.

Located across from the historic St. John’s church on the corner of Porter and Rayburn, the Ruddiman Building, so named because it was donated to the parish in loving memory of Dr. and Mrs. Edsel Ruddiman, has served as a meeting space for many years. The church is delighted to see a new chapter begin for this treasured building as a home for the Art House and the Ocean Springs Art Association, a well-respected non-profit that supports the arts in the community. The parish believes that the overall mission of St. John’s to “know, love, and serve God, be renewed by His Spirit, and to share Christ” will be complemented by the addition of the Art House.

“St. John’s is grateful that the Ruddiman Building can continue to serve the wider Ocean Springs community,” says the Rev. Charles Hawkins, rector of St. John’s. “Our parish has always understood its campus as a place of welcome, service, and shared life, and we are delighted that the Art House will bring creativity, beauty, and community connection to this beloved space.”

Julia Weaver, a long-time parishioner at St. John’s and former Alderman, has been instrumental in the effort to help the OSAA re-open the Art House in the Ruddiman Building.

“St. John’s has a long history of responding to community needs and we look forward to welcoming the Art House onto our campus,” she says.

The Art House hopes to be open in the new location by early fall.