St. Mary's Church

St. Mary's Church, a fine example of the French Gothic influence, was built in 1902 by Island architect, William Critchlow Harris. The Harris trademark, a rib-vaulted or groined ceiling, enhances the quality of sound and archives this with the use of fir, pine, spruce, maple, and birch throughout the building. Today, St. Mary's remains the architectural and acoustic treasure that William Harris envisioned the perfect setting for voice and instruments to celebrate wonderful music.

The dimensions of St. Mary's are 78 feet in width and 152 feet in length. The distance from the floor to the ceiling is 60 feet. The height of the tower which houses the bell is 128 feet. This tower carries above it an original octagonal spire with a band of arched niches at its base, which holds statues of the twelve apostles. St. Mary's is the largest wooden church on the Island with a seating capacity of 500 people. October 1st, 1902, was the official blessing and opening of St. Mary's, and the first Mass was celebrated earlier on March 9th.

It has been said that the natural acoustics of St. Mary's rates as one of the top ten places to perform in the world. In 1996, the Indian River Festival Association was formed and has arranged for some the the best classical musicians in North America and Europe to perform at St. Mary's.

St. Mary's Church is a place of worship. Sunday masses are offered during July and August at 9:30 a.m. Other parish information available by calling the parish at 902-836-3609. Pastor: Fr. Joe Brazel.