When I was a little girl I would spend my summers in Cape May with my Grandmother. She was a very traditional and proper Philadelphia matron who had a parakeet trained to say “Skippy Episcopalian Republican.” Need-less-to-say, such an ardent Episcopalian would require Sunday service even while on vacation. So oft we would go, me in dresses with petticoats and white gloves and grandmother in full Sunday dress, hat and all! In those days the church was always full. The last time I was at the Church of the Advent, it was off season and the participants were fewer in number, with a small but dedicated choir. The service is what one can only describe as “high” church, with incense and other embellishments. The Church itself is quaint and reminiscent of a prairie church.

In order to walk to church and beyond the best marina is the South Jersey Marina. Next door to the marina is the iconic Lobster House. The marina is family owned, has access to deep water (often not the case in Cape May) and outstanding service. All within a mile of the church.

Close to the heart of Cape May’s historical commercial district, South  Jersey Marina, is an easy and pleasant walk to the beach or the busy commercial shops facing a lovely pedestrian boulevard, before or after church.  Cape May has been a resort since Abraham Lincoln would visit at Congress Hall, the large hotel at one end of the historical district. It was where my family would stay, my grandmother playing bridge for a quarter a hand and from where we would walk to church.

There are so many choices of places to eat in Cape May it seems ridiculous to try and single out any one place. This might be the place to stop in a bakery like Madison’s Bakery, get a take-out treat and stroll along the beach, rather than a full brunch. Of course, it is hard to pass up a shore dinner at the Lobster House. This is the spot for lobster, and all sorts of fried seafood, maybe not healthy as a regular diet, but hard to pass up. There is also a smaller but pleasant restaurant at the marina that has more traditional breakfast fare.

St. Peter’s is a jewel of a seaside church with very interesting architecture. It was moved from Philadelphia after the 1876 exhibition and has been moved several times for among other things to escape the consequences of shore erosion.The Church of the Advent shares ministering during the summer months with St. Peter’s by the Sea, which only conducts services from May through September.

If you have the time, grab an Uber go to the 11:00 service and come back to the marina for lunch.