About Us
St. Mary Anne’s welcomes you!
We are one of the oldest churches in the Diocese of Easton, a constituent diocese of the Episcopal Church. This historic building is filled with people who will learn your name and will care about you, as well as care about the local community.
What we believe
We firmly believe that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is a message of hope and comfort, a message that is vital for these chaotic times.
Who is St. Mary Anne?
Well, there was no St. Mary Anne, but it’s a good story!
In 1714, Queen Anne bequeathed three gifts to the parish of St. Mary’s:
- A silver chalice
- A silver paten
- A large Bible
In gratitude for the gifts, the church renamed itself St. Mary Anne’s!
The chalice and paten are still employed on special occasions.
St. Mary Anne’s origin
In 1706, the colonial legislature and governor of Maryland established a new parish on the north shore of the Elk River.
Sometime between 1709 and 1715, a wooden church was built on the site of the present building. The Reverend Jonas Auren, a Swedish Lutheran clergyman, ministered to the local English, Swedish, and Finnish settlers. This became the congregation of St. Mary’s parish.
Our services
Our Sunday services follow the traditional Episcopal liturgy. The liturgy, from the Book of Common Prayer, is a sacred gift of prayer and worship to God. This grounds us in our faith, keeps us connected to our history and elders, while remaining faithful to the calling to learn the Scriptures, participate in Holy Eucharist, and pray for others.
On Sundays, we offer two services
8:00 Rite I Service with Holy Eucharist
Rite I features the beautiful, Elizabethan English of the classic Anglican tradition, using terms like “thy, thou, and with thy spirit.” This service offers a reverent, quiet, and deeply reflective space for worship, emphasizing penitence and historic prayer structures. It is ideal for those who love traditional liturgy and contemplative music or silence.
10:00 Rite II Service with Holy Eucharist
Rite II uses modern, everyday language such as “you and your” to tell our ancient story. This service focuses on joyful thanksgiving, community celebration, and active congregational participation. As the primary Sunday service in most Episcopal parishes, it balances music, more modern liturgy, and an inclusive, family-friendly atmosphere.
10:00 Church School
Elementary-aged children are invited to join church school on the first and third Sundays of the month during the school year. It is a joyful time filled with faith, friendship, fun, and lots of smiles.
Children meet in the Parish Hall and are then brought to the church to join their families for Communion.
6:00 Recovery Service
We welcome our friends in the recovery community to our recovery service in the church building on the second Sunday each month during the school year. These inspiring services are followed by a fellowship dinner in the Parish Hall.
Also check the church calendar for Al-Anon, NA Back to Life, and Walk the Walk recovery meetings.