1873

The Episcopal Church of St. Mary the Virgin was established in 1873.  It is the outgrowth of St. James’ Episcopal Church, Lafayette Square, formerly styled St. James’ First African Protestant Episcopal Church (est. June 23, 1824). Out of St. James’ emerged the formation of St. Katharine’s and St. Philip’s as missions of Mt. Calvary Church. The chapels were operated under the sponsorship and direction of the mother church. St. Katharine’s continues to exist. Today it is a self-supporting parish church located on the corner of Division and Presstman Streets.  However, St Philip’s survived for several years before it was dissolved.  Former members of St. Philip’s, desiring their own church, requested and received the approval of the Bishop to become a separate congregation.  With the consent of the Bishop, the congregation styled themselves under the patronage of the blessed mother of our Lord, Saint Mary the Virgin.

The first service of the Chapel of St. Mary the Virgin was held at All Saints Sisters Mission House, No. 85, Preston St., on Sunday, March 23, 1873, conducted by Father Calbraith B. Perry.  This chapel soon became inadequate and two months later, a hall was rented on the corner of Pennsylvania Ave. and St. Mary Street (named after St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Seminary).  On May 18, 1873, Father Joseph Richey, Rector of Mt. Calvary Church, preached the sermon at the new location.  Because of the tremendous increase in membership over the summer months, a friend and benefactor purchased a two-story building on Orchard St., near Madison Ave., across from Mt. Calvary Church, as a home for the congregation of the Chapel of St Mary the Virgin.  The first Mass was said by Father Perry on the Feast of St. Matthew, September 21, 1873. 

1878

 By 1878, the membership had outgrown the present building.  The church’s benefactor secured properties behind the church on St. Mary St. and gave them to the Diocese of Maryland free of debt and at the disposal of Mt. Calvary’s clergy.  Following this action a cornerstone for an addition to the Chapel of St. Mary the Virgin was laid by Dr. Richey. The ceremony was held on Sunday, September 7, 1879.  On Sunday, February 2, 1880, the first Mass was said in the new section. 

1880

 The furnishings of the Church were gifts contributed by many members and friends of Mt. Calvary’s parish.  Our parish priest received his salary from Mt. Calvary as a member of their staff, but the parishioners of St. Mary’s were responsible for the annual contribution of $400.00 toward the upkeep of the assistant priest.  Sisters, initially from All Saints Mission, were assigned to assist and supervise various activities, guilds, and the church school.  They also gave faithful service in general visitations, ministering to the sick, and serving the poor.  Later the Sisters were housed at 822 N. Eutaw St. for service at Mt. Calvary, St. Mary’s, and other Episcopal churches in Baltimore under the direction of the Mother Superior.  As the years passed, many generations have come to faithfully worship at the Chapel of St. Mary the Virgin. 

1947

On February 4, 1947, all that was loved, revered, and hallowed was completely destroyed in a few hours by fire.  Many beautiful and priceless treasures from far corners of the world were lost.  Repairs were made to a hall owned by the church located across the street.  This building was used for services until our church could be rebuilt.  Until the hall was repaired, the congregation worshiped at Mt. Calvary. During this year, the Reverend E. Lawrence Lacher became our parish priest. Through the sacrifice and work of our parish members, priest, fire insurance, gifts from friends of St. Mary’s and Mt. Calvary, and funds from Mt. Calvary’s Endowment, our church was rebuilt on the old site.

Our altar was designed by Mullen Harris of Baltimore and built from white marble from the famous quarries of Carrara, Italy.  The baptismal font was carved from stone from the quarries at Caen, France.  The pews were designed by the Baird Seating Company of Hagerstown, Maryland.  The Stations of the Cross were carved to our own specifications by artists in Pietra Santa, Italy.  The church was completed in December 1949 and the first Mass was sung on the fourth Sunday in Advent.  On May 30, 1953, the Chapel of St. Mary the Virgin was consecrated by the Right Reverend Noble Cilley Powell, DD, Bishop of Maryland.  A Solemn High Mass of Thanksgiving was celebrated by Father Lacher, on Sunday, May 31, 1953. 

1958

In 1958, it was learned that the city proposed an express highway project.  This meant that the church's buildings would be condemned in 3-5 years.  This also meant that a new site was needed. Because of demographic changes in the community, the Church of the Ascension and Prince of Peace, located at 3121 Walbrook Avenue was in the process of moving and elected to rebuild at a new location in Rockdale, MD. The Diocese of Maryland purchased this church and gave it to Mt. Calvary for the use of the Chapel of St Mary the Virgin.  We moved to our present site July 1959 and brought with us most of the removable items from the Orchard St. church. 

 During the first meeting of the Vestry, Father E. Lawrence Lacher was officially elected as our first Rector.  Vestry officers were elected.  The senior and junior wardens were appointed by the Rector.  At a second meeting, By-Laws were drawn and adopted. As the Church of St. Mary the Virgin celebrates its 134th Anniversary, we must look back and acknowledge the first Vestry members, after St. Mary’s ceased to be a mission of Mt. Calvary and become a self-supporting parish church of the Diocese.

The first Vestry members are as follows: Clarence Coleman Jr., Clifton Murray, Edgar Ewing, E. Walter Shervington, Henry Horsey, James Spencer, Leroy Johns, and Samuel Wilson Jr. During the tenure of Father Lacher, there were many positive internal changes and growth. The most significant accomplishment was the establishment of the St. Stephen’s Court Apartments.  Father Lacher served as our parish priest for 22 years.  On March 31, 1970, he submitted his resignation to the Bishop.  He then became manager-director of the St. Stephen’s Court Apartments, Inc. and was appointed Priest-in-Charge of the St. Stephen’s House Chapel, a mission of the Church of St. Mary the Virgin. 

1970

 Father Lloyd V. George received and answered the call to become our second Rector.  He chanted his first Mass as Rector on July 5, 1970.  It was during this time the church sought to have more community use of our facilities.  One way we fulfilled this mission was to house a senior citizens program, SAGA, in the undercroft for several years.  Just three years after Father George became Rector, we celebrated our centennial year in 1973.  Father George worked to keep the church together through many renovations.  He retired as Rector of the parish on December 31, 1987, having served 17 years. 

 After retiring as Rector of Grace and St Peters’, Baltimore, Father Edward P. Rementer began his ministry as Interim Rector of St. Mary the Virgin in January 1988.  Because of his willingness to serve, we were able to continue many of the renovations needed to the church buildings and the organ.  In addition, a new sound system was installed in the church.  Under his spiritual guidance, we now had four men who were chalice bearers assisting in the Mass.  He obtained many men and women to become lay readers rather than just two parishioners.  Women were asked to become ushers and to serve side-by-side with men.  Our Women’s Day program began in May 1991.  Having served 6 years, Father Edward P. Rementer retired for the second time in February 1994. 

1994

 Father James D. Manning became our third Rector in March 1994.  His institution Mass was held on May 28, 1994.  This was a beautiful service seldom seen by many parishioners.  Under his tenure, air conditioning was installed in the sanctuary and the great hall.  There were other renovations, of which included the installation of a new furnace.  Two women became chalice bearers to assist in the Mass.

Bible study was initiated and conducted by Father Manning each week.  He also started a monthly newsletter, La Fleur de Lis, shortly after his arrival.  Father Manning was instrumental in getting a Daughters of the King chapter in the church.  Wombwork Productions, Inc., a community-based program for youth and the performing arts, began residency at St. Mary’s under Fr. Manning’s leadership.  He initiated the 125th anniversary celebration and the 21st Century Endowment Fund supported by contributions from parishioners.  Fr. Manning retired in December 2003. 

2004

 In February of 2004, Father Ronald Miller became Interim Rector.  During his tenure, we were able to do much needed renovations.  After the first Mass of Easter, parishioners brought foods eaten during the time of Jesus Christ.  Foods such as dates, nuts, breads and fruits were shared and eaten.  He initiated the use of bells at the first Mass of Christmas.  Father Miller taught us about the Holy Land through his pictures taken during one of his trips to Jerusalem.  He was always available to us if any assistance was needed.  He left in October 2005. 

2005

 Father Gerald Shelton Collins became our fourth Rector on November 1, 2005.  His institution took place January 7, 2006.  Father Gerald affectionately likes to define his institution as his “marriage to St Mary’s.”   Our Celebration of a New Ministry with Fr. Gerald was beautiful with many priests attending from the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland, Southern Ohio, New York and Long Island.

All of whom shared in the service with ecumenical clergy representing churches from our immediate community. Under Fr. Gerald’s leadership, special attention has been directed toward spiritual nurture, Christian hospitality, and an intentional focus on equipping our youth for ministry to become future leaders in the parish, the community and the wider Church.   He emphasizes that these are important toward becoming disciples who are equipped to make disciples.

We continue to have Christian formation with a renewed Sunday school program and Adult Bible Study on Sunday morning and Wednesday afternoon.  We hold regular Parish Forums to engage an ongoing dialogue on our vision and shared ministry for our future. We engage in ecumenical and inter-parish programs and worship. And we continue renovation projects to the church’s buildings and grounds.  Most of all, we have embarked upon a spiritual journey of building, energizing, and empowering the ministry of the people of St. Mary’s.  And, with open hearts, we offer ourselves as a spiritual home of nurture to all who seek fellowship with Jesus Christ among us in the City of Baltimore and the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland.

Fr. Gerald envisions our point of connection and the lens of landscape to embrace and enrich bonds of fellowship and mutual interdependence beyond all real or imagined conceptions of human borders and boundaries. He believes we are compelled to live into the love and amazing grace of God incarnate in Jesus Christ our Lord and liberating Savior.