SHNA Homes - St. Mary's

St. Mary's Episcopal Church

St. Mary's

A History In Brief

Our records show that St. Mary's The Virgin Episcopal Church had its beginning on June 4, 1888, with Fr. Butler in charge. It had been erected in this area of Palatka for its black citizens. At that time, this part of Palatka was called "New Town."

During the early 1900's under the leadership of Fr. Woods, there was a school which was located at the back of the church property. Many of our elderly citizens that reside in Palatka attended that school. The rectory, which was located beside the church was rented out for many years. However, this wooden structure had to be demolished in the 1980's because of disrepair.

In the mid-seventies, the late Arch Deacon Fred Yerkes secured funds to refurbish St. Mary's to its present beauty. The late Rev. Leslie Batchelder, the minister in charge, gave of himself to make things work at our little church. He worked tirelessly in the church, made visitations and became apart of each family that attended our church. After each service, you could always find him giving each child a hug and 25 cents for singing in the choir.

Upon the completion of the work on our church in 1976, an appreciation program was held in honor of the Episcopal Women of St. Mark's Episcopal Church for their help in raising funds for the refurbishing of this church.

As the membership dwindled in the early 1990's, Fr. Fred Hunter, whose family (especially his mother, Mrs. Hattie Hunter) was instrumental in the on-going [continuation] of St. Mary's, served without a salary until the members were told that St. Mary's would be closed. However, St. Mary's was not closed and Rev. Nancy Tiederman of Gainesville became our new pastor.

Rev. Tiederman, who became the first female priest to serve at St. Mary's, soon became a breath of fresh air that we needed. Our membership increased, and we now have Wednesday prayer service at noon. Even though (after serving for three years) Rev. Tiederman is no longer at St. Mary's, she left a spirit combined with the spirit of warmth and strength that already dwelled within these walls that will help St. Mary's continue to be an important part of this community.

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