St. John’s Episcopal Church

Written By Dino DiPietro

Here’s a comprehensive history of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Islip (Oakdale), Suffolk County, NY:

🕰 Origins and Early Years

  • 1701–1720s: William Nicoll purchased the land in 1683 and built his home by 1701, where church services were held for his family and tenants. Later, his grandson, also William Nicoll, commissioned a chapel on this property—marking the beginnings of St. John’s Episcopal Church

  • 1765: The small, wood-shingled chapel was formally constructed on Montauk Highway. This is the building recognized today

Architectural Evolution

  • 1843: The church underwent enlargement and remodeling, expanding its ability to serve the growing community

  • 1873: A stained-glass window was introduced, enhancing the church’s aesthetic and spiritual atmosphere

  • 1962: Restoration efforts preserved the church’s historic charm, including its gabled roof, wood-shingle façade, and the distinctive three-story square tower with a pyramidal roof

† Cemetery

Adjacent to the church, a small cemetery contains about 100 graves, with burials spanning from the late 18th century through the early 20th century—establishing St. John’s as both a house of worship and community memorial grounds

Historic Recognition

In 1994, the church and cemetery were listed on the National Register of Historic Places, noted for its post-medieval English architectural style and historical significance

Role in Islip’s Broader History

  • St. John’s, often called “Islip’s Mother of Churches,” has played a cornerstone role in the town’s spiritual and civic life.

  • As early as 1798, Town Supervisor Nathaniel Conklin described it as the only house of worship in the town—a focal point for Episcopalians, even without a settled minister

  • Over time, the church has woven itself into local history, with Nicoll and Ludlow family members and other early settlers buried in its churchyard

Summary of Key Dates

1701 First services held at Nicoll’s home

1765 Original chapel built

1843 Chapel enlarged and remodeled

1873 Stained-glass window added

1962 Restoration project completed

1994 Added to National Register of Historic Places

St. John’s stands today as a cherished relic of Islip’s colonial era—a historic sanctuary that has witnessed centuries of community growth and remains a living link to Long Island’s earliest roots.

Dino DiPietro