Saint Paul’s By-the-Sea Episcopal Church becomes a shelter amid city deadline

OCEAN CITY, Md. — Saint Paul’s By-the-Sea Episcopal Church raced to get homeless people living outside the church inside on Tuesday.

In May 2025, Worcester County ruled that people could not sleep on public property. As a result, many sought shelter from local churches.

Reverend Jill Williams of Saint Paul’s said the church had supported people for months, but recently the city determined that tents on the property violated zoning rules and had to be removed by the end of the day.

“That was after we asked for a brief extension. It was always our goal to bring folks inside. We just needed more time to raise money, hire staff, all of the proper things that you do to open a shelter,” Williams said.

She added, “The city really pushed our backs against the wall. Instead of leaving our folks to sleep outside, unprotected, unsafe and undignified, we took a step of faith and opened the shelter.”

Williams emphasized the importance of combining shelter with compassion. “To not have a place to go, to not even have a place to hold your belongings, to have a little bit of dignity, a little bit of safety — it is heartbreaking. These are human beings. We know their stories, and everyone who comes in, you better believe I’m going to know their story too. We need to take care of each other,” she said.

As of 7 p.m., the church planned to have everyone inside. Williams said volunteers were laundering personal belongings and bedding, and the church had rented a hotel for showers so residents could feel clean.

“Their bedding and personal clothing is being laundered by volunteers and brought back so they can start fresh. We’ve also rented a hotel room, and we are transporting everyone to the hotel so that they can have a shower today and, so they feel clean all their stuff is clean,” Williams said.

She called on the community for support. “Every day, we are feeding 120 to 150 people, and that number grows in the summer as we support the workforce of the tourist industry. We ask those same businesses to support this ministry,” Williams said.

For more information you can check out their website at, St. Paul’s By-the-Sea Episcopal Church | Ocean City, MD