About Us
October 1946. Members of St. Andrew’s Church in Downtown Tampa establish an Episcopal mission in fast-growing South Tampa. Liturgies are celebrated in various locations around South Tampa, including the Palma Ceia Country Club and the Ella Mae School of Dance. The Rev. John Beacon provides pastoral oversight for the mission called St. Andrew’s Palma Ceia Church.
October 1947. The mission church becomes St. Mary’s Chapel, with property on Concordia Empedrado near Bay-to-Bay. The first building on the site is a parish hall which serves as worship space and Sunday School.
October 1949. A church building is erected on the same site, setting up St. Mary’s first campus. The Rev. Warren Densmore becomes vicar of St. Mary’s Chapel: An Episcopal Mission.
1951-1952. The mission is granted parish status in 1951. Fr. Densmore establishes St. Mary’s Parish Day School in 1952, with a kindergarten class and a plan to add one class per year to and including 8th grade.
May 1953. The church acquires its present property on San Miguel.
1959. Rev. Simcox succeeds Fr. Densmore as rector.
1964-1974. Rev. John Mangrum is the third rector.
1975-1982. Rev. Thomas Garner, Jr., the new rector, calls for the design of All Saints Chapel.
1983-1994. Rev. Hewitt Johnston serves as rector. All Saints Chapel is dedicated.
1996. The Rev. Kevin Donlon becomes rector of St. Mary’s Parish.
2000. The new parish experiences unprecedented growth. A $9 million capital campaign provides funding for new school and church buildings.
2002. The new school building is dedicated and the church is consecrated. Fr. Donlon resigns; a significant number of parishioners follow. The Rev. William McLean III is named interim rector.
2003-2004. The parish works to heal from division and begins the search for a new rector.
2005-2006. The parish calls The Reverend Canon Dennis Kezar as rector. Construction begins on a new Parish Activity Center. The relationship between the church and school continues to flourish – mutual provision for one another is reflected in a renewed lease arrangement.
2007-2008. New members flock to St. Mary’s, nearly half under 16. The Free To Be capital campaign raises over $1M to pay down church building debt of $1.25M, 60% of which is received during first seven months of the three-year giving period.
2009-2010. The clergy, vestry and congregation place emphasis on growth, eliminating debt and expanding outreach ministries. Young Adults establish AMEN! fellowship group. The Columbarium is completed. The St. Mary’s Counseling Center opens. Prayer groups multiply.
2011. Father Eric Kahl becomes St. Mary’s new rector.
