St. Marks

Written By Dino DiPietro

Here’s a detailed history of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Islip, NY:

🌟 Early Roots & Origins

  • The name “Islip” dates back to a community in Northamptonshire, England—before New York’s political entity existed. That original Islip’s name spread to Long Island through William Nicoll, the landowner who named his holdings after his ancestral home

  • There’s some evidence of an Episcopal presence in Islip as early as the 1660s, and a church purportedly erected in 1766 that later burned in the early 1800s

  • However, the officially recognized parish establishment occurred in 1847.

🕍 Founding & First Church (1847)

  • Parish established in 1847 as a mission of St. John’s in Oakdale; the cornerstone of the first church is dated July 4, 1847

  • The parish became a mother church, giving rise to several other local congregations: Christ Church (Babylon), St. Peter’s (Bay Shore), Emmanuel (Great River), Messiah (Central Islip), and Christ Church (Brentwood)

Current Church Structure (1880)

  • The present building was constructed in 1880, designed in the Norwegian stave church style by Richard Morris Hunt, and financed by William K. Vanderbilt

  • A rectory was built concurrently. In 1890, the church was expanded and the parish house added

🔥 Restoration & Modern Enhancements

  • In 1989, the church suffered an arson fire but was restored, preserving historic elements like its Tiffany stained-glass windows

  • In 2007, an All Souls’ Chapel and columbarium were consecrated and put into use

🏅 Historic Recognition

A historical marker at 754 Montauk Highway, placed in 1995, highlights the church’s significance:

  • Parish founded: 1847

  • Church & rectory built: 1880

  • Architect: Richard Morris Hunt

  • Donor: W. K. Vanderbilt

📘 Additional Resources

  • A 1928 historical sketch by Rev. William H. Garth provides personal and archival insights about the church’s development over its first 80 years

  • A project called Uncovering Parish Histories explores deeper historical threads and early mention of the 1766 church

🗓️ Timeline at a Glance

~1660 Possible early Episcopal presence in the area

1766 Alleged first church built; later destroyed by fire

1847 Parish officially organized; cornerstone laid July 4

1880 Current church & rectory built in Norwegian stave style

1890 Church enlargement and parish house added

1989 Arson fire; church restored retaining Tiffany stained glass

2007All Souls’ Chapel and columbarium consecrated

1995 Installation of a historical marker recognizing the church’s heritage

This history reveals a church deeply rooted in local origins, enriched by landmark architecture, resilient through adversity, and active in community legacy and mission.

Dino DiPietro