Everyone is WELCOME
St. Mary's Episcopal Church
"To Build Up One Another in Christ"
About Us
History
Construction of St. Mary's began in 1875 and was completed in 1878. On April 20, 1890 the Bishop of Florida (Rt. Rev. Edwin Gardner Weed III) officially consecrated St. Mary's under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Florida.
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Gothic Revival in style, the church was built from native virgin timber.
Church Windows:
For the first few years, before the stained glass windows were installed, cloth coverings protected the openings. Only two of the original leaded stained glass windows (in the Sacristy) remain. Most of the windows were replaced in the mid 1900's.
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The Altar window, imported from Czechoslovakia, was funded by the children of St. Mary's. The children performed in a minstrel show and hired themselves out to work to raise money.
Church Interior:
Zelius, a shipwright, created the elaborate interior millwork. The pulpit is a memorial to the first priest, the Reverend James Jarrett, who died of yellow fever thirteen days after reaching Milton.
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The pews are original and hand carved from oak and cypress wood.
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The church was furnished primarily by memorial gifts. The Altar rail is a memorial to Leon Perrenot Mints by his mother, who made and sold dresses for 25 cents each to pay for the rail. The Ladies Aid Society donated the $4 brass nave lamps.
The Rector and Rectory:
Charles Edward MacDougall, a physician, moved to Milton and purchased a lot on the corner of Escambia and Oak St. He built a house across from St. Mary's in the early 1870's.
MacDougall was an ordained Episcopal Deacon and served as St. Mary's priest from 1876 until 1916. (He was raised to the priesthood by Bishop Weed in 1887 and became rector.)
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After MacDougall's death, his daughter, Mabel willed the house to St. Mary's to use as a Rectory and Office, which remains its current function.
Additions
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1890 - Choir loft and Sacristy added
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1987 - Parish Hall built
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1981 - Bell Tower replaced
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1987 - Allen House purchased
Present Day
Some congregation members have attended St. Mary's since the mid sixties while others joined just last year.
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We relocated here, retired here, transferred here, went to college here, worked here, or were born here. Regardless of how we got here, we have found a church home at St. Mary's.
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We all belong here.
What brought us here?
What brings us back?
We are a friendly, welcoming church community. Our beliefs are Episcopalian and we worship using the Book of Common Prayer.
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Services include prayer, music, and Holy Communion. There is a sense of joy in this church and we practice spiritual inclusion.
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What are Episcopalians?
"We are unabashedly inclusive;
we welcome diversity and differences of opinions;
we hold to worship that stretches back to the first day of the apostles;
we make decisions centered on the Bible, but that are also enriched by what we have learned in history, and the gift of our own reasoning.
We don't shy away from issues that involve justice and peace;
we are committed to furthering God's dream of a new creation of peace and unity."
Bishop Russell Kendrick
The Rev. Matthew Dollhausen
St. Mary's Interim Priest
