Church archives indicate that it was “a snowy Sunday with eight present” on the occasion of St. Mary’s first service, March 14, 1937. This humble service was held in the Edmond Community Hall, which at that time was rented for 50 cents per week. The church’s petition for status as an organized mission of the Diocese of Oklahoma was granted on November 26, 1937.
By 1940, the mission congregation was ready to acquire property. Bishop Thomas Casady purchased two lots at Main and College Streets for $2,000 cash. The original church, which many current parishioners remember as the Canterbury House, was built on that plot at the cost of $6,400. Thanks to the gifts of parishioners and a $7,000 grant from a national church fund, the building and furnishings were paid for in full. This new church building was consecrated on Sunday, October 10, 1941. Two Presbyterian men were asked to serve as ushers because all Episcopal men were away in the war.
In 1960, based on a huge step of faith and contributions from twelve pledging families, the parish called its first resident priest, the Reverend Jack Oliver Bird. The Reverend Jack Powers succeeded Father Bird in 1964 and served the mission church as it continued to mature toward parish status. He also served as Chaplain to Langston and Central State (now the University of Central Oklahoma). Under Father Powers’ leadership the church continued to prosper and a new young priest, the Reverend Dan Edwards, was called to the chaplaincy at Langston and Central State.
On April 18, 1969, St. Mary’s was approved for parish status by a unanimous vote of the delegates to the Diocesan Convention. After leading St. Mary’s from mission to parish, Father Powers was called to another ministry in 1974. The Reverend Robert J. Spangler, who was called in 1975 and served until 1980, succeeded him. The Reverend David Egbert answered a call from St. Mary’s in 1981 and served until his retirement in 2001.
In 1963, the people of St. Mary’s had begun planning more expansion by purchasing property at University and First Streets. The current church building was built on this land in 1973. In addition to the sanctuary and nave, this building housed two offices, one each for the rector and the parish secretary. Additional land and buildings on the block were purchased in 1981. A chapel, parish hall and an educational wing were added in 1983.
As St. Mary’s Church grew, the parish recognized
the need for a quality school program
in the Episcopal tradition. Under
the auspices of the vestry, St. Mary’s
School was established in 1977. Kindergarten
and preschool classes were offered
first. The school then grew, adding an elementary
grade each year from 1989 to
1994. Today, the school enrolls more than
two hundred twenty students in preschool
through fifth grade, and construction for
a middle school at a second site is
underway. St. Mary’s School is a totally
self-sustaining ministry of the parish.
A major expansion of church facilities
was undertaken in 1995 with the $1.3
million Forward in Faith Campaign. This
effort, undertaken in cooperation with St.
Mary’s School, resulted in the addition of
another larger education wing, an
expanded parish hall and the accomplishment
of much needed deferred
maintenance. The parish has continued
to acquire properties on the block as
opportunities have arisen and we now
own all but one small lot on the block.
More than just our physical plant was expanded during the twenty year tenure of Father David Egbert. In particular, the clergy now includes four deacons and an associate priest. A full-time parish manager and expanded staff assist the rector with many day-to-day administrative details. A number of very active ministries are in place.
In the fall of 2002, the Reverand Mark D. Story accepted a call from St. Mary's as our new rector. It is an exciting period of growth at St. Mary's, as we are poised to explore our call to Mission in the new century.
Since its modest beginning in 1937, St. Mary’s growth has paralleled that of Edmond, a vibrant community approximately 15 miles north of downtown Oklahoma City. By the turn of the century, our membership had grown to more than 850 and our annual operating budget exceeded $400,000.