Saint Mary's Episcopal Church was founded by a small group of Episcopalians interested in worshiping God in the Anglo-Catholic tradition. The church's first Mass was celebrated on the Feast of Christ the King, October 28, 1956, in a storefront building on Bethany Home Road, near 27th Avenue. Several supply priests served the growing mission until the first vicar, the Reverend Rodney Cobb, came in December 1957. He served until his resignation in October 1958, when Father Frank Brunton served Saint Mary's as supply priest.

Meanwhile, the church had grown to 150 communicants, and had purchased property at 36th Avenue and Bethany Home Road. There a frame structure seating one hundred people had been added to the existing farm-house providing church, office and church school facilities.

In 1959, the Reverend Lewis H. Long was called to Saint Mary's from Abilene, Kansas. Under his leadership the mission entered a period of growth and became a parish in 1961. A five acre site was purchased at 39th Avenue and Maryland. There a rectory was constructed and in June of 1964 ground was broken for the new Saint Mary's church building. The first service in this building was held in December 1964, with dedication the following Spring.

Over the years dedicated parishioners have crafted the beautiful stained glass windows you see throughout the building. The altar crucifix was hand carved in Oberammergau, Germany and our church bell came to us from El Buen Samaritano in 1960 after that mission was closed. The Close and Memorial Garden were created in 1980.

Under the leadership of Father Long from 1959 until 1993, Saint Mary's became a leader in the Diocese of Arizona in the continuance of the Anglo-Catholic tradition. Under his guidance, with the supreme efforts of Cheak Yee, Saint Mary's Manor came into being. The Manor opened in April 1993. This retirement facility, adjacent to Saint Mary's accommodates forty people in individual apartments.

With Father Long's retirement in 1993, Bishop Shahan appointed the Reverend Derrick Wedderburn as Interim Rector. Father Wedderburn held that position until January of 1995, when the Reverend Robert Nagy, a former member of Saint Mary's was named Vicar.

The Reverend William C. Rhodes answered the call as the second rector of Saint Mary's in July, 1999. Father Rhodes came to us from one of the most prestigious parishes on the west coast and under his direction plans were made for the renovation of the nearly forty year old building. Father Rhodes retired in June 2003. The renovations he initiated were completed one year later and on June 9, 2004 Bishop Kirk Smith joined our interim rector, the Reverend Paulette Schiff, in a rededication ceremony. Father Rhodes returned as our parish priest in May of 2005.

As an Anglo-Catholic community, Saint Mary's utilizes the rich liturgical tradition of the ancient Church. We place high emphasis on the Sacraments and are therefore sometimes known as a High Church.