St. Mary's Episcopal Church

History

St. Mary's history began in the 1890's when Episcopalians in Waynesboro organized themselves as St. Steven's Mission. Early services were conducted in borrowed church rooms and the GAR room of the old Wayne building.

In 1898 the Rev Francis Shroder was sent from Lancaster to officially organize the mission. He left after a short time and rectors from the Church of the Transfiguration, Blue Ridge Summit, served as vicars for the mission.

Membership increased and the mission purchased the lot at Broad and Second streets, the church's present location, for $1,000 in 1907. The congregation also decided to change its name to St. Mary's that year.

The cornerstone was laid by Diocesan Bishop James H. Darlington on October 21, 1914. The church was consecrated on May 24, 1918, by Bishop Darlingtion.

The post-war period was a boom time for Waynesboro and membership at St. Mary's grew. The Rev. A.G.W. Pfaffko became vicar in 1927. In 1931 the Moller Pipe Organ Company of nearby Hagerstown, MD installed a two-manual organ for $1,500 - half the usual price.

In August 1941, the Rev. Anthony Van Elden became vicar and served for 16 years. His tenure ended in momentous fashion when the Diocese approved the vestry’s petition to grant St. Mary's status as an incorporated, independent parish in 1957. The Rev. J. Daniel Stover was called as St. Mary's first rector.

In December of 1961, the educational building was dedicated. Generous donations helped retire the mortgage by 1966. Six rectors served the church during the 1960s and 1970s. After the Rev. Carl Beasley's term ended in 1986, the first-ever discernment committee was formed to select a new priest. The Rev Stephen Harris was called and served from 1987 to April 2005.

Another discernment committee was formed in May of 2005 and called the Rev. Linda King Watkins to serve as rector in September of 2006.

In late 2008, as the nation and world faced an extended financial crisis, a group of St. Mary's parishioners were commissioned by the vestry to form a Long Range Planning Committee to address the need to maintain the parish on a sound footing, financially and spiritually. A full discernment process was initiated, involving many members of the congregation and Diocesan resources and advisors. A statement describing the process and results can be seen here.