HISTORY 150 years in Eugene! Information from our Sesquicentennial Anniversary Celebration in 2004
St. Mary's circa 1859.

    It was over 150 years ago, on October 8, 1854, recently arrived Missionary Bishop to the Oregon Territory, Thomas Fielding Scott held the first Episcopal services in the temporary courthouse in Eugene City, Oregon.  Brother St. Michael Fackler preached and the bishop spent 4 to 5 days in the city visiting families.  His journal recorded, "officiated at Eugene City four times and we now have an edifice underway.  By the kindness of Mr. [Eugene] Skinner, one of the proprietors of this town site, we have been presented with a valuable site of an acre of ground for Church and School or Parsonage."  

    The original St. Mary's church was constructed in 1859.  Thirty-three years later, St. Mary's Episcopal Church was incorporated on June 2, 1887, including among its members Eugene Skinner's wife Mary.  The original church as well as one built in 1899 was located at the corner of Seventh and Olive Streets. That site was sold in 1937, and the present church at Thirteenth and Pearl was dedicated on November 20, 1938. 

The addition housing the Parish Hall and Sunday School rooms was added in 1957. The church, chapel and narthex were remodeled in 1973, and again (for accessibility) in 1991. The organ was installed in 1958. The bell, cast in 1859 for the original church, was discovered in the attic during the 1957 remodeling. It is now in the Bell Tower.

    By the grace of God, the committed stewardship, and the dedicated service of the people who make up our church family today, St. Mary's will continue to provide faithful leadership both in our diocese and our community for another 150 years.