St. Mary Star of the Sea, turns 150

September 20, 2010 | Volume 85, Number 24
St. Mary Star of the Sea, Fort Monroe, turns 150
by Sandy Grecco of The Catholic Virginian

St. Mary Star of the Sea at Fort Monroe proudly bears a number of distinctions. On September 9 the parish celebrated its 150th anniversary.

St. Mary Star of the Sea Church was built in 1903. The stone church was originally built with spires on the two towers, but they had to be removed in 1966 because over the years water had leaked in and caused major structural damage to the roof. (Photo by Dr. W.J. McCall)

It holds the honor of being the oldest Catholic parish on the Virginia Peninsula, the ninth oldest parish in the diocese, and the only diocesan church in the nation that remains located on a military installation.

Since 1860 the “church by the sea” has been a beacon for the Catholic faithful on the small but strategic military installation of Fort Monroe in Hampton.

President Abraham Lincoln gave the original authorization to build the church on the post. Since then the parish has withstood the Civil War, hurricanes, flood and 9-11, when an immediate tightening of security forced parishioners to move into the St. Mary Star of the Sea School chapel just outside the gates until screening procedures were initiated and parishioners (who didn't live or work there) were allowed back in.

This is a parish that has had to roll with the punches, and come September 2011 parishioners have one more blow coming. That is when the military installation on which they worship is set to close, changing their immediate surroundings in ways that are yet to be determined.

In spite of the uncertainty, however, St. Mary’s parish life has remained steadfast. Their 150th anniversary celebration kicked off a year ago with a parish picnic, the revival of the parish's Sunday-before-Thanksgiving dinner, special weekend Masses in celebration of weddings, sacraments and the military, and dozens of quilts stitched together for the comfort of those in need.

Donald and Agnes Riley, the two oldest parishioners of St. Mary's Star of the Sea at Fort Monroe, their "very good friend" Bishop Emeritus Walter F. Sullivan, and Antonio Rodriguez of the Knights of Columbus St. Mary/St. Joseph Council 511, outside the church after Mass. The Rileys are longtime parishioners and were married at the church in 1952, a year before Bishop Sullivan was ordained to the priesthood.

The culmination of their celebration was an anniversary Mass September 12 with current pastor Father Peter Sousa, a priest of the Redemptorist community; several former pastors, current and former parishioners, and special guests. Father Sousa read proclamations from Mayor Molly Joseph Ward of Hampton and U.S. Senator Mark Warner of Virginia as well as an Apostolic Blessing from Pope Benedict XVI.

"First thing I did when I came here today was check the baptismal record, and there I was,” said Rev. Mr. Christopher Colville, baptized at St. Mary Star of the Sea and now a Permanent Deacon at The Church of the Redeemer in Mechanicsville. He was on the altar at the Mass along with Deacon James V. Wharry, assigned to St. Mary Star of the Sea.

Bishop Emeritus Walter Sullivan, who was associate pastor at the Fort Monroe parish in his second assignment after ordination, presided.

"Actually it was the last place I had wanted to be back then," Bishop Sullivan said to a church packed with parishioners and guests of all ages. "But I told myself to grow up and go in with open mind," he added.

Among many funny stories, Bishop Sullivan went on to say his time at St. Mary’s was a "providential assignment," as it was here that he came to truly understand and love the military.

"After all," he said, "We are in the same business. We are both working for peace."

Bishop Sullivan closed by saying, “As we rededicate St. Mary Star of the Sea on this 150th anniversary, we should see it as a means for rededicating our lives in ways that make a difference.

"St. Mary's is a very important instrument of God’s work, as is each of us." The parish looks to the future as it reflects on its 150 years.

"As we celebrate this 150th anniversary, we who are currently part of St. Mary Star of the Sea Church stand with those who have gone before, seeking unity and following our faith. We pray it forward to the future generations who will worship in the beautiful and sacred space within this stone church by the sea," says a history of the parish.