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Parish History
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St. Mary’s Parish is extremely blessed to have as its Pastor, Father Rory T. Conley, who not only holds Doctoral degree in Church History from the Catholic University of America but was appointed Historian for the entire Archdiocese of Washington in 1999
Please note that more dates will be added to this list as this site is developed. Much of the information above was taken from the book Common Bond – St. Mary’s Church, Bryantown, Maryland which was authored by John E. Potyraj and published in 1993 by Steeple Press on the Bicentennial Anniversary of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Many of the dates and descriptions of events noted on this web page were taken from Pages 97 and 98 of the book. We are extremely grateful to have this book available as a resource.1654First Catholic worship in Bryantown
1690Mass celebrated on Boarman Estate
1692The Church of England becomes official church of Maryland
Read more about our Catholic roots with Church of England and Maryland's Mission
1743Hayden Family donates land to bild a log cabin church
1792Sulpician priests flee French Revolution and arrive in America
Read more about the Society of Saint-Sulpice
1793St. Mary's catholic church becomes a parish
First recorded birth in parish records
(1/2/1793)
1811Parish establishes Trustees’ Administration
1846Parish begins building new church
(March 1846)
1858Plans developed to enlarge church
(October 1858)1859Saint Mary’s Institute (Miss Martin’s Seminary) opens
1861Civil War rocks nation, cripples economy, and Institute closes
(1861-1865)
1873Parish celebrates its centennial anniversary
1895Tower and steeple torn down to make room for additional seating
1912Reverend Conroy begins pastorate
(September 1912)1915School Sisters of Notre Dame arrive to open new schools
(September 1915)Two new schools open
September 1915 Two new schools open- one of causian children and one for children of color
1921New boarding school opens
1923Court Bryantown No. 771 Catholic Daughters of America is chartered
Read more about the Catholic Daughters Of the Americas
1924Holy Name Rallies at St. Mary’s Church
See newspaper clippings from the Holy Name Rallies in 1924
1925St. Mary’s High School is accredited
father conroy called to rome
1926Parish renovates church, adding new organ
1927Father Conroy’s pastorate ends
1936Archbishop Curley visits parish
The Most Reverand Michael Curley, Archbishop of Baltimore, lays the cornerstone of the new novitiate at Folly Quarter
1939District of Columbia becomes Archdiocese of Washington
Read more about the history of the Archodiocese of Washington
1943Solemn celebration of 150th anniversary during wartime
1944Parish erects a large statue of the Blessed Mother in front of the church
1948Archbishop Patrick O’Boyle becomes first Archbishop of Washington, D.C.
Read more about Archbishop Patrick O'Boyle
1953New cemetery opens in front of church
1953New cemetery opens in front of church
1955New brick rectory is built
1961revered o'brien directs church renovations
1963the great fire at st. mary's church occurs
December 12, 1963
196550th anniversary of school sisters of notre dame's service parish
September, 19651966dedication of rebuilt church
May 19661967st. mary's high school closes
new elementary school is dedicated
November 1967
1968elementary school is desegregated and st. mary's colored school closes
1973court bryantown celebrates 50th anniversary
June 1973
199175th anniversary of st. mary's school
1992new church organ unveiled
November 1992
1993parish celebrates bicentennial anniversary
1953memorial dedicated in tribute to st. mary's colored school which was in operation
September 20, 1998
2008rectory building remolded
Under the direction of Father Lawrence Young, Pastor of St. Mary’s Parish from July 2008 until July 2009, and with much assistance from parishioners and area businesses, the rectory building, including the parish offfice, was partially remodeled. This was the first time the building was remodeled since being constructed in 1955. Father Young, who earned his living as a remodeler prior to becoming a Catholic Priest, also personally contributed a great deal of carpentry expertise, labor and materials to the remodeling project.Cemetery research committee established
A Cemetery Research Committee was established under the direction of Father Young, with Anne Boone as the Chairperson, to map out the old section of the cemetery and establish a directory of who is buried where. Although death records survived the great fire in the church in 1963, the map of the cemetery was destroyed. The Committee is creating a database which will include a map which shows the location of each gravesite, a photo of each gravestone or marker, the name of the person(s) buried by each gravestone or marker along with all information engraved on each gravestone or marker. This process is being completed in a painstaking manner to ensure that the information that is being collected accurate. Our parish has a highly historic cemetery.church doors refurbished
The front doors of the church were refurbished and repainted by volunteers from the parish under the direction of Father Young. The storage area above the sacristy was cleaned and organized and shelving was built. The lighting in the church was improved and energy efficient light bulbs were added to all fixtures.
2009parish website was developed
Under the direction of Father Young, and with input from parish staff and parishioners, a new parish web site was developed. Site design and content development were donated by members of Father Young’s family.parish council reestablished
Father Young re-established a parish council after it had been inactive for many yearsinterior of church repainted
Thanks to the generosity of parishioners, the interior of the church was repainted for the first time in 40 years. This took place under the direction of Father Young and the Parish Facilities Committee with input from parishioners via multiple votes on paint colors. Ornamental plaster throughout the church was also restored during this process. All precious metal objects on the altar along with Holy Water fonts were refinished thanks to the generosity of now deceased parishioner Mary Pat Jamison. Also refurbished as part of the project are the precious metal objects in the chapel in the rectory.flooring inside of church refurbished
Thanks to the generosity of parishioners, under the direction of Father Conley, the flooring in the interior of the church was recarpeted and tiles under the pews were replaced.religious goods store added in church foyer
A Religious Goods Store is added in the church foyer under the direction of Father Young with Chairperson Ellen Walls. Stunningly beautiful oak cabinets were built to house merchandise thanks to Deacon Henry Middleton’s fine cabinet-making skills. The proceeds of the store will go to the Parish.