Saint Mary's
Built in 1927
STewards of yesterday
Saint Mary's By The Sea
In 1923, the lot where the parish house now stands was purchased from Dr. W. C. and Emma Hawk for $300. The church’s corner plot was a gift, donated by W. M. and Mina Van Hoomissen of Portland. The parish house itself began as a residence north of the church, which was moved onto a new basement foundation in 1962 and transformed into the Parish House and Hall.
The story of St. Mary’s in Rockaway began even earlier. Father Hildebrand Melchoir celebrated the first Mass here on July 20, 1921, holding services in the old theater building from 1921 to 1927. Plans for a true church were drawn up in 1926, and Father Hildebrand asked his father, Michael Melchoir, an architect and builder, to design and construct it. Local men Neal Abrahamson Sr. and Ed Best lent their hands to the work.
On September 4, 1927, the new church was dedicated by Rt. Rev. Abbott Bernard Murphy and given its name, St. Mary’s By the Sea. By June 21, 1928, the church opened its doors for regular services.
Father Hildebrand’s care for the community extended beyond the altar. He kept a rescue rope coiled and ready on the parish house porch, his “Life Line” for swimmers caught in the surf.
In January 1954, a fierce coastal storm tore away enough sand to reveal something long buried: the bones of the Emily Reed, a sailing ship wrecked offshore in 1908. With the help of a bulldozer, local volunteer firemen uncovered part of its wooden skeleton directly in front of the church.
Today, nearly a century later, St. Mary’s By the Sea continues to thrive within its original walls, standing watch between ocean, dunes, and the town it has served for generations.