Episcopal Church

Written By Dino DiPietro

Here’s the history of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Lake Ronkonkoma:

🕰 Founding and Early Years

  • Episcopal worship began in the Lake Ronkonkoma area as early as 1865, with occasional services held in a local schoolhouse at Five Corners.

  • In June 1867, Episcopalians formally organized a mission and planned to build a church. The first service took place on the last Sunday of 1867, and by September it was recognized in the Diocese of New York.

Patronage and Construction

  • The church building was funded by Col. John H. Puleston, a Welsh-born financier and former member of the British Parliament, and his wife Margaret Lloyd Puleston. They also donated items like an organ and the bishop’s chair.

Struggles and Revival

  • After initial growth, the church suffered a setback in 1873, likely due to Puleston's withdrawal, which led to a long period of decline.

  • It later functioned as a summer chapel before an actual revival in the 1920s, rebuilding its community presence.

Parish Status and New Building

  • Initially organized as a mission in 1867, St. Mary’s wasn’t formally admitted as a parish until 1972.

  • The original 1867 church structure was demolished in 1971, and a new building was erected shortly thereafter.

Modern Growth and Clerical Leadership

  • The Rev. Edward A. Wisbauer, who served as rector from 1958 to 1996, played a pivotal role in revitalizing the parish.

  • Under his guidance, St. Mary’s saw significant growth, reaching its peak membership in the 1990s, unlike many other diocese churches experiencing decline.

  • Historic Recognition

  • In 2017, the church celebrated its 150th anniversary. A historic marker, installed by the Lake Ronkonkoma Heritage Association and supported by the William G. Pomeroy Foundation, commemorates its origins, patronage, and reconstruction.

Dino DiPietro