history
Who St. Mary"s is now, is due to the labors and love and generosity of those who came before us.We remember them with gratitude, and we hope to repay their gift to us by looking forward and planning for those who will follow us in this place. | timeline:1920s: Father Ford starts the Sparta Volunteer Fire Department and unable to save the undenominational church from a fire, oversees the building of the church on Main Street, Sparta. The 'Messenger' newsletter is produced. 1930s: The Board of Missions of the Diocese purchases from Father Ford, for permanent church use, St. Mary's Church on an acre of land. The 42 seat Church is at 200% capacity. The choir of St. Mary's is established. 1940s: WWII and a house near the Vicarage is put up for auction. Father Ford bids $5,000.00 and no-one else says a word. The house becomes the Parish Hall. A new church building fund stands at $6,500.00 |  Above L-R:Father Sell, Father Ford, Father Shaffer. Below: Father Ford & congregationThe original church was located on Main Street close to the current Town Hall |
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1960s: St Mary's opens the Parish Hall on Sundays for use by the newly founded Shepard of the Hills Lutheran Church. St Mary's sponsors the founding of the Hilltop Montessori School. St. Mary's, as part of an Ecumenical Council, helps purchase 21 acres to build the Knoll Heights senior citizen Housing community in Sparta. 50th anniversary of St. Mary's 1970s: After 59 years as a mission, St. Mary's is incorporated as a Parish and a newly elected Vestry of nine persons elects Father Shaffer as the first Rector of St. Mary's. Father Shaffer hands in his letter of resignation, having "Labored in the Lord's vineyard for 29 years" |
 Above: First Rector, Father Harold Shaffer.1980s: Attendance and stewardship grows prompting a renewed emphasis on youth programs. Breakfast is served between the two Sunday services. Education for Ministry (EFM), Disciple of Christ in Community (DOC) and the Adult Forum is established.1990s: The Bishop's Award for Congregational Excellence 1990 is presented to St. Mary's at the Diocesan Convention. St Mary's opens its doors for use by the newly founded Blessed Kateri Roman Catholic Church. St. Mary's Foundation is established. The facilities are renovated and expanded. 75th anniversary of St. Mary's |
2010: Father Davis announces his intended retirement. Church tops 22% of its budget to annual Outreach allocation. Shaffer Hall renovation is complete. 2011: Father Davis retires and St. Mary's calls the Reverend Carol Dinger Gadsden as the new Rector |
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Former Clergy at St. Mary's1919-1952 The Rev. Edwin S. Ford, VicarAssistants: 1948: The Rev. Clarence Sickles 1950: The Rev. Michael Lynch 1952-1954 The Rev. Dean R Edwards, Vicar Assistants: 1953-54 The Rev. George Tocker 1954 The Rev. Harold F. Shaffer 1954-1979 The Rev. Harold F. Shaffer, Vicar/Rector Assistants: 1963-66 The Rev. Canon William O. Leslie, Jr. (Retired Archdeacon of Newark) 1965-66 The Rev. Gerald A. Pisani, Jr. (Former Baptist Minister) 1968-74: The Rev. Frank Marshall (Retired Col. Chaplain US Army) 1978-79 The Rev. James F. Jannucci (Former Roman Catholic Priest) 1979-1980 The Rev. Henry Powers (Interim) |
1980-1985 The Rev. James W.H. Sell, Rector Assistants: 1982-83 The Rev. James Johnson 1984-87 The Rev. Betsy D.I. Smylie 1985-86 The Rev Richard Trask (Interim) 1986-1993 The Rev. Robert B. Dendtler, Rector Assistant: 1990-93 The Rev. Luke Nelson 1993 The Rev. Luke Nelson (Interim) 1993-97 The Rev. John Neiman, Rector Assistants: Rev Ms. Barbara Lewis served as Assistant Rector. Rev Mrs Louise Kalemkarian (1997-1998). Interim |
1998-2002 The Rev. Martin Bagay, Rector Assistant: Rev Mr. James Petroccione 2003-2004 Rev.Ms.Kamilla Blessing (Interim) 2004 Rev Ms. Jill McNish (Interim) 2004-2011 The Rev. Orion Davis, Rector Assistants: The Rev Ms. Sue Lederhouse Rev Mr. James Petroccione The Rev Ms. Megan Sanders The Rev Mr.Alexei Khamin 2011-Present The Rev. Carol Gadsden |