A HISTORY OF SAINT MARY'S

The organizational meeting of Saint Mary's was held at Irmo High School on September 8, 1974. Twenty-four families petitioned Bishop Alexander of the Diocese of Upper South Carolina to call a vicar and establish Saint Mary's as a mission. The Rev. John M. Haynes was called as vicar and served as Rector until his retirement in December, 1986. Ground was broken at the Tram Road site on October 26, 1975, and the building was dedicated on March 21, 1976.

The church was recognized as a self-supporting parish on December 18, 1978. In June of 1979, the Mary Meech Mungo Memorial Chapel was dedicated. The chapel was a gift from Mr. Michael J. Mungo in memory of his wife, Mary. On May 2, 1982, the sanctuary was expanded and the Christian Education Building was dedicated. When Father Haynes retired in 1986, the Education Building was renamed in his honor. Following Father Haynes' retirement, the Rev. Chris Clements served as interim priest.

The Rev. Robert C. Wisnewski, Jr. became the rector in July of 1987. He served our parish for nine years and left in August of 1995. During his years of guidance and leadership, Saint Mary's experienced growth in commitment, stewardship, and awareness of the community and the world beyond our church. Following his rectorship, the Rev. Charles Spigner and the Rev. Clyde Ireland served in interim capacities.

In August of 1996, the Rev. J. Blaney Pridgen, III, was called as Rector, and in March 1997, the Rev. Ellen J. Hanckel became our Priest Assistant. Under their combined leadership, Saint Mary's continued to grow and become one of the most influential and innovative parishes in our area.

In the Fall of 2001, Rev. Hanckel answered a call to another parish, and left in January 2002.  The Rev. Chris Clements joined the staff as Priest Assistant on a part-time basis.  D'Rue Hazel became the Assistant to the Rector for Parish Administration and Pastoral Care, and Daniel Burbage became the Assistant for Christian Formation and the Director of Youth Activities.  The parking area was expanded, giving us access from St. Andrews Road as well as Tram Road.  We continue to grow with new faces each week, and growing awareness of living  evangelism.

The years 2004-2005 saw several changes as Daniel Burbage left to go to seminary, and later d'Rue Hazel became the Dean of The School for Ministry.  Daniel was followed by Barbara Mitchell as interim Youth Director, and in the summer of 2005, by Caroline Dasher as full-time permanent Youth Director.  Judy Stephens became the Parish Administrator. Fr. Pridgen took his 90-day sabbatical to the Holy Land while Fr. Clements held to the reins and ministry. In the Fall of 2005, Deacon Susan Parlier joined the staff on a part-time basis.  A ministry to the Deaf is planned and several people have begun to practice sign language to prepare for this.  More choices were added for adult Sunday school classes and spaces were dedicated for adult use in the renovated Educational wing. The rooms were named for appropriate saints, with the storage areas designated as " The Wilderness"

An important addition was made in 2005 when we added a once a month Spanish service to our Sunday schedule.  This grew quickly and in the Fall of 2005 we began a weekly 12:30 Spanish Mass.  During Advent 2005 we included a version of an important Mexican tradition for the whole parish to celebrate together: Las Posadas, a commemoration of the journey of Mary and Joseph to from place to place as they tried to find refuge in Bethlehem-- Feliz Navidad!

In Spring of 2006 Deacon Ann Pilat also joined the staff as Deacon for Diocesan Hispanic Ministries based at St. Mary's. She will assist Alfredo "Fred" Gonzalez as he works with our Hispanic Ministry and prepares for Holy Orders. An office was dedicated to Hispanic Ministries, and a support group for Hispanic Domestic Abuse began to meet weekly.

Outreach continued to Haiti, to Thailand, and to a number of local mission efforts. "Charity Sunday" on the first Sunday began during the summer of 2006 to offer the opportunity to make  personal donations to local charity efforts.

Our journey continues as we work together to make Christ's Great Commission a reality in our community and world.

RETURN TO TOP

PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES 

There are many areas of volunteer ministry and activities that strive to meet the needs of parishioners. We like to see people participate in the Sunday worship as well as activities and programs throughout the week. We have listed some of the various activities; more are always added as the need arises. You are always welcome to join in any aspect of the church life.

We offer an active music program with both adult and children's choirs. Our children's group, Gabriel's Choir, is associated with the Royal School of Church Music.

 In addition to four adult Sunday School classes, we offer extended Bible study programs, Special Prayer programs, Discovery Weekends and Cursillo Reunion Groups for adult Christian formation. Quiet Days are offered several times a year, especially in Advent and Lent.

Our Episcopal Church Women are active in both the parish and the diocese, as are the Daughters of the King.

In addition to celebration of the full Liturgical Year, we offer the Stations of the Cross, Thanksgiving Union Services, Ecumenical Gatherings, the Blessing of Animals, the Feast of Lights, house blessings and private confession by appointment. With the addition of weekly Spanish Mass, an abbreviated version of the Mexican tradition of Las Posadas became part of our Advent season.

Some of the programs and activities include:
        

RETURN TO TOP

THE 2008 VESTRY OF SAINT MARY'S

The Vestry is the official fiscal representative of the Parish. There are fourteen lay vestry members, who together with the Rector, constitute the Vestry. 

Senior Warden - Kathy Gettys       
Junior Warden - Bob Hayden --- Property and Grounds (P-G@)  Gifts and Memorials (G-M@)
Treasurer - Michele Lyerly  --Finance(Fin@) --Christian Formation (C-F@)     
 Assistant Treasurer - Harriet Mobley-- Worship (Wor@)          
Clerk -  Phil Morris 
The Rector and the Senior Warden are included on all of the group e-mail listings
Please see the Ministries section for more information about Parish E-mails
 

Connecting Vestry Names and Familiar Faces

		Officers  of the Vestry
	Kathy Gettys SENIOR WARDEN "Warden for the Clergy"		Bob Hayden JUNIOR WARDEN "Warden for the Laity"
Michele Lyerly TREASURER	Harriet Mobley ASST TREASURER		Phil Morris CLERK	Carmen Burgos HISPANIC REPRESENTATIVE
		Members  of the  Vestry 3 year terms ending in Jan.
Birch Cannon	Heather Jordan	2009	Kathy Gettys	Mike Hooks
Keith McLeod	Michele Lyerly	2010	Bob Hayden	Hoyt Wheeler
Cindy Burdett	Carol McGinnis Kay	2011	Pat Stout	Mitchell Tibshrany

RETURN TO TOP

DIRECTIONS TO ST. MARY’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH  

St. Mary's Church is on the west corner of St. Andrews Rd and Tram Rd between Whitehall area and Seven Oaks shopping center. There are entrances to each of the two separate parking areas one from St. Andrews Rd and the other from Tram Rd.  Passengers may be let out at the ramp at the entrance to the Church before parking
                          

  Map of 170 Saint Andrews Rd      Columbia, SC 29210

 I-26 TO PINEY GROVE ROAD

From the North: I-26 to exit 104 (Piney Grove Rd). At the top of the ramp, turn right onto Piney Grove Rd.
From the South: I-26 to exit 104 (Piney Grove Rd). At the top of the ramp, turn left onto Piney Grove Rd.
Then:
Follow Piney Grove Road past the gasoline stations and through a residential area, until it crosses a railroad track and becomes three lanes wide. Get into the left lane and turn left at the traffic light onto St. Andrews Rd.  Get into the right lane, pass the railroad tracks, and one traffic light (Bank of America on left), and watch for St Mary’s sign on the right.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I-20 TO BUSH RIVER ROAD  (Bush River Rd becomes Tram Road) 

From the East: On I-20, pass the I-26 interchange and take the next exit, which is Bush River Rd. At the top of the ramp, turn right onto the main road, which is Bush River Road.
From the West: On I-20, pass the Hwy 378 exit, and watch for the Bush River Rd exit, which is just past the river bridge. At the top of the ramp, turn left onto Bush River Rd, and cross back over the interstate, getting into the middle lane.
Then:
Pass the shopping center and drug store on the left and gasoline station on the right, and enter a residential area for several miles.  As stores begin to appear again, be alert for a sharp right curve in the road. The entrance to the church driveway is on the left at the curve. If you get to a large intersection you just passed the church.

RETURN TO TOP