LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 100th Anniversary of The Church
of St. Mary of Hampton Bays, New York, to be celebrated on April 29,
2012

WHEREAS, Religious institutions, and the many spiritual, social and
educational benefits they confer, play a vital role in the development
of the moral fabric of a responsible citizenry; and
WHEREAS, It is the tradition of this State and this Nation to pay
tribute to those institutions and individuals who have contributed to
the ethical and spiritual values of their communities; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body takes pleasure in commemorating the
100th Anniversary of The Church of St. Mary of Hampton Bays, New York,
to be celebrated on Sunday, April 29, 2012, at Oakland's Restaurant in
Hampton Bays, New York; and
WHEREAS, The Reverend Samuel Centennial Fish of St. John's, Southamp-
ton, conducted the first service in Hampton Bays in the home of Earl B.
Squires on March 26, 1912; and
WHEREAS, Services were held in the Ponquogue Chapel of The Silver Link
Sewing Society building, just south of the property, until 1920 when the
Rt. Reverend Frederic Burgess, Bishop of Long Island, consecrated the
newly built church which was made possible through the foresight and
generosity of Virginia Taylor Hardy; and
WHEREAS, Virginia Taylor Hardy purchased the baptismal font from an
Italian prince; the Skinner organ was donated by Safford Delano in 1921;
and
WHEREAS, In 1926, Virginia Taylor Hardy once again graced St. Mary's
with the generous gift of its rectory; and
WHEREAS, Two years later, Reverend Fish retired as priest-in-charge
and was succeeded by The Reverend William St. John Blackshear for six
months; the Reverend William H. Cumpston followed him in December of
1928; and
WHEREAS, In 1931, Virginia Taylor Hardy gave Guild Hall to the church,
now called the Fireside Room, which was furnished by Mr. and Mrs. Thomas
LeClaire Jacques; and
WHEREAS, The Mothers' Garden was dedicated on Mother's Day in 1933 by
Reverend Cumpston who served as priest-in-charge until his retirement in
1942; and
WHEREAS, In 1943, The Reverend Frank North arrived at St. Mary's
followed by The Reverend Hubert Buckingham from June of 1945 to July of
1947; and
WHEREAS, Father Gerald M. Gardner began his 28 year ministry in 1948,
first as priest-in-charge and finally as its first rector in 1966; and
WHEREAS, During Father Gerald M. Gardner's tenure, the parish hall was
built through the generosity of Marjorie Kent Kilpatrick; and
WHEREAS, Father Daniel S. Harris served as rector from 1978-1985;
during his ministry the parish became actively involved in the Episcopal
Cursillo movement and a chapter of The Brotherhood of St. Andrew was
formed; and
WHEREAS, In 1981, The Church of St. Mary's nursery school opened its
doors under the direction of Peg Allen and Dee Harris; a thriving youth
group was involved in religious, cultural and adventure programs includ-
ing whitewater rafting; and
WHEREAS, The Reverend Warren E. Haynes was installed as rector in
1986, and served until his retirement in 1998; and
WHEREAS, Under Fr. Haynes, the cursillo community grew and a "praise"
music Eucharist was introduced once a month; and

WHEREAS, In addition, The Church of St. Mary became involved with
prison ministry, Midnight Run and the Angel Tree and ABATE holiday gift
programs; and
WHEREAS, Moreover, through the generosity of Virginia and Joseph
Marotta, the outdoor columbarium, The Garden of Remembrance, was built;
and
WHEREAS, In 2000, Mother Bernadette came to The Church of St. Mary,
contributing greatly to this rapidly growing congregation; and
WHEREAS, The Church of St. Mary stands on the threshold of tomorrow,
prepared to meet the challenges of the coming decades while retaining
that spiritual resolve which characterizes its past; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to take note of
enduring religious institutions and to bring such institutions to the
attention of the people of this Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of The Church of St. Mary of Hampton
Bays, New York, to be celebrated on April 29, 2012, fully confident that
this commemoration reflects the belief in those values which enhance the
dignity and purpose of life; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Church of St. Mary, Hampton Bays, New York.