History of St. Mary's
The Reverend Samuel Centennial Fish of St. John’s, Southampton, conducted the first service in Hampton Bays in the home of Earl B. Squires on March 26th, 1912. Services were held in the Ponquogue Chapel of The Silver Link Sewing Society building, just south of the property, until 1920 when the Rt. Rev. Frederic Burgess, Bishop of Long Island, consecrated the newly built church which was made possible through the foresight and generosity of Virginia Taylor Hardy.
Mrs. Hardy purchased our baptismal font from an Italian prince and the Skinner organ was donated by Safford Delano in 1921. Its twin is in the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. In 1926 Mrs. Hardy once again graced St. Mary’s with yet another generous gift, this time in the form of our rectory.
Two years later Rev. Fish retired as priest-in-charge and was succeeded by The Rev. William St. John Blackshear for six months. The Rev. William H. Cumpston followed him in December of 1928.
Then in 1931 Mrs. Hardy gave Guild Hall, now called the Fireside Room, which was furnished by Mr. & Mrs. Thomas LeClaire Jacques.
The Mothers’ Garden was dedicated on Mothers’ Day in 1933 by Rev. Cumpston who served as priest-in-charge until his retirement in 1942.
In 1943 The Rev. Frank North arrived at St. Mary’s followed by The Rev. Hubert Buckingham from June of 1945 to July of 1947.
Father Gerald M. Gardner began his 28 year ministry in 1948, first as priest-in-charge and finally as our first rector in 1966. Robert Larsen began serving as “temporary” organist in 1956. During Fr. Gardner’s tenure, the parish hall was built through the generosity of Marjorie Kent Kilpatrick. The organ was rebuilt in 1968 and our carillon was installed in 1977. Fr. Gardner said goodbye in 1978 and enjoyed a long retirement until he went home to our Lord in 1996.
Fr. Daniel S. Harris served as rector from 1978-1985. During Fr. Dan’s ministry our parish became actively involved in the Episcopal Cursillo movement and a chapter of The Brotherhood of St. Andrew was formed. In 1981 our nursery school opened its doors under the direction of Peg Allen and Dee Harris. A thriving youth group was involved in religious, cultural and adventure programs including whitewater rafting in PA.
The Rev. Warren E. Haynes was installed as rector in 1986 and served until his retirement in 1998. Under Fr. Haynes our cursillo community grew and we introduced a “praise” music Eucharist once a month. We became involved with prison ministry, Midnight Run, the Angel Tree and ABATE holiday gift programs. Our youth group made numerous trips to New York City and beyond. And through the generosity of Virginia & Joseph Marotta, our outdoor columbarium, The Garden of Remembrance, was built.
Mother Bernadette M. Sullivan came to us in 2000 and served until her retirement in 2012. During Mother Bernadette's tenure, we sponsored youth missionary trips to Guatemala, installed a playground in memory of Margaret Hultberg, and made improvements and upgrades to our buildings and grounds, including a complete renovation of the rectory. During the tenure of Mtr. Bernadette, St. Mary’s became the first parish to volunteer for the Maureen’s Haven ministry to the homeless of eastern Long Island.
In 2001 Robert Larsen retired after 45 years of continuous service as organist to be followed by the extremely talented Joseph V. Rella, Ed.D. Joe joined his beloved wife, Jaqueline, in God's greater glory on February 21, 2020. For some years prior to his passing, Sonya Hubbard began serving as our organist and continues in this position to the current day.
Father Gerald (Jay) Collins served as our interim priest-in-charge from 2012-2013, and in August 2014, we welcomed Father Philip Hubbard to St. Mary's.
Mrs. Hardy purchased our baptismal font from an Italian prince and the Skinner organ was donated by Safford Delano in 1921. Its twin is in the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. In 1926 Mrs. Hardy once again graced St. Mary’s with yet another generous gift, this time in the form of our rectory.
Two years later Rev. Fish retired as priest-in-charge and was succeeded by The Rev. William St. John Blackshear for six months. The Rev. William H. Cumpston followed him in December of 1928.
Then in 1931 Mrs. Hardy gave Guild Hall, now called the Fireside Room, which was furnished by Mr. & Mrs. Thomas LeClaire Jacques.
The Mothers’ Garden was dedicated on Mothers’ Day in 1933 by Rev. Cumpston who served as priest-in-charge until his retirement in 1942.
In 1943 The Rev. Frank North arrived at St. Mary’s followed by The Rev. Hubert Buckingham from June of 1945 to July of 1947.
Father Gerald M. Gardner began his 28 year ministry in 1948, first as priest-in-charge and finally as our first rector in 1966. Robert Larsen began serving as “temporary” organist in 1956. During Fr. Gardner’s tenure, the parish hall was built through the generosity of Marjorie Kent Kilpatrick. The organ was rebuilt in 1968 and our carillon was installed in 1977. Fr. Gardner said goodbye in 1978 and enjoyed a long retirement until he went home to our Lord in 1996.
Fr. Daniel S. Harris served as rector from 1978-1985. During Fr. Dan’s ministry our parish became actively involved in the Episcopal Cursillo movement and a chapter of The Brotherhood of St. Andrew was formed. In 1981 our nursery school opened its doors under the direction of Peg Allen and Dee Harris. A thriving youth group was involved in religious, cultural and adventure programs including whitewater rafting in PA.
The Rev. Warren E. Haynes was installed as rector in 1986 and served until his retirement in 1998. Under Fr. Haynes our cursillo community grew and we introduced a “praise” music Eucharist once a month. We became involved with prison ministry, Midnight Run, the Angel Tree and ABATE holiday gift programs. Our youth group made numerous trips to New York City and beyond. And through the generosity of Virginia & Joseph Marotta, our outdoor columbarium, The Garden of Remembrance, was built.
Mother Bernadette M. Sullivan came to us in 2000 and served until her retirement in 2012. During Mother Bernadette's tenure, we sponsored youth missionary trips to Guatemala, installed a playground in memory of Margaret Hultberg, and made improvements and upgrades to our buildings and grounds, including a complete renovation of the rectory. During the tenure of Mtr. Bernadette, St. Mary’s became the first parish to volunteer for the Maureen’s Haven ministry to the homeless of eastern Long Island.
In 2001 Robert Larsen retired after 45 years of continuous service as organist to be followed by the extremely talented Joseph V. Rella, Ed.D. Joe joined his beloved wife, Jaqueline, in God's greater glory on February 21, 2020. For some years prior to his passing, Sonya Hubbard began serving as our organist and continues in this position to the current day.
Father Gerald (Jay) Collins served as our interim priest-in-charge from 2012-2013, and in August 2014, we welcomed Father Philip Hubbard to St. Mary's.