In 2012, St. Mary’s is celebrating 125 years of History! Each month we are featuring some interesting historical facts about our church and parish. Here is how our parish began:
• September 12, 1885 – First meeting to discuss “propriety and feasibility” of erecting a church was attended by 53 residents and sojourners.
• George W. Childs donated a lot and cash for the church.
• Rev. Keller from St. David’s Church conducted services at Wayne prior to the construction of St. Mary’s Church and drew up the application for St. Mary’s Charter (which was presented to the provisional vestry on July 9, 1887).
• St. Mary’s Church building was constructed in 1890.
The Rev. Thomas Conrad, the first rector of St. Mary’s, was a vigorous “salesman” for building and furnishing the church. He invested a small fortune of $25,000, and Mr. Anthony Drexel added $5,000 for the purpose of erecting the church, paying architect fees, and providing an organ and church furnishings.
• 1889: Dr. Thomas Conrad, rector of Old St. Paul’s on 3rd Street in Philadelphia (a declining parish he was trying to restore) accepted a call to St. Mary’s with the understanding that he would retain rectorship at St. Paul’s and that an assistant would perform some duties at St. Mary’s.
• 1890, Easter Day: St. Mary’s Church building was completed and consecrated. Vestry minutes stated that the church could not be consecrated so long as there was debt on the property. To hasten the consecration, Vestrymen canvassed the residents of Wayne for contributions. February minutes reported that the canvassers’ “kind reception was universal not only amongst our own faith but all denominations.”
• 1891: The Hook and Hastings organ had 839 pipes. The Vestry proposed purchasing the organ for $90, with $10 down and $5/month payments, but later notes show the organ was a gift from Dr. Conrad.
• The ten bells which still hang in St. Mary’s belfry bear the inscription Easter 1891.
• 1893: Dr. Conrad died suddenly on Trinity Sun-day, at age 58, having seen the Church built, a congregation established, and membership increased tenfold.
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