St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church

Gabby
Our Church Cat

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Gabby appeared at the door of the church the 3rd week of July 2003 and made it clear this was now her home. At first only the kids fed her. Then some of the adults began to bring her food. Soon our parish administrator was feeding her regularly and named her. Finally Mike, our founding rector, said if we were going to keep her she would have to have her shots and be spayed. Bob and Dee Milledge took on the responsibility of her health care and Gabby was here to stay.

For a while her feet seldom touched the floor from 9:00 AM Sunday morning when the kids began to arrive until around 12:00 when the last of them were leaving. When one of the kids did put her down she would follow them around until someone picked her up again. This continued until she got too big for them to carry her. It is not unusual for someone to ask "Where's Gabby?" before they even say hello to any of the 2 footed members of the parish.

Gabby has the run of the church although we try to keep her out of the Nave during services unless someone is holding her. She has been known to spend most of the service in the chancel with an acolyte and once during a service she ran from the chancel to the back of the nave across the backs of the pews.

Gabby is our unofficial greeter and always checks out our visitors. She is also present during most meetings and her favorite spot is on top of someone's note pad. She isn't fickle. She bestows her attention on everyone from the smallest child to our bishop. She seems to have a special feeling for our youngest members and doesn't protest when they pull on her fur, ears, or even her tail. She demands respect from adults.

Home

Gabby appeared at the door of the church the 3rd week of July 2003 and made it clear this was now her home. At first only the kids fed her. Then some of the adults began to bring her food. Soon our parish administrator was feeding her regularly and named her. Finally Mike, our founding rector, said if we were going to keep her she would have to have her shots and be spayed. Bob and Dee Milledge took on the responsibility of her health care and Gabby was here to stay.
For a while her feet seldom touched the floor from 9:00 AM Sunday morning when the kids began to arrive until around 12:00 when the last of them were leaving. When one of the kids did put her down she would follow them around until someone picked her up again. This continued until she got too big for them to carry her. It is not unusual for someone to ask "Where's Gabby?" before they even say hello to any of the 2 footed members of the parish.
Gabby has the run of the church although we try to keep her out of the Nave during services unless someone is holding her. She has been known to spend most of the service in the chancel with an acolyte and once during a service she ran from the chancel to the back of the nave across the backs of the pews.
Gabby is our unofficial greeter and always checks out our visitors. She is also present during most meetings and her favorite spot is on top of someone's note pad. She isn't fickle. She bestows her attention on everyone from the smallest child to our bishop. She seems to have a special feeling for our youngest members and doesn't protest when they pull on her fur, ears, or even her tail. She demands respect from adults.