former rectors

Canon Edward Wilmot Gorham Holmes was born in Scotland in August, 1902. He was inducted as rector of St. Mary's in February, 1931 at the age of twenty-nine. He was the youngest priest in the Diocese at that time. During his long ministry, spanning four decades, many improvements were carried out in the parish, including the construction of the present belfry. Fr. Holmes was also responsible for the establishment of the Mission Church of Holy Spirit, which was dedicated in 1939. Also under his administration, several new guilds were formed, the Anglican Church Women, Men and a youth association were established, and the day school continued to prosper. Canon Holmes retired in 1971 after serving at St. Mary's for almost forty-one years. In 1972, the Bishop in consultation with the vestry, awarded him the honorary title of Rector Emeritus in recognition of his long and devoted service. Canon Holmes died in the Bahamas on August 12, 1984.

From 1971 - 1974, Father Glendon Brant, a Canadian Mohawk Indian, became Priest in Charge of St. Mary's and Holy Spirit. In 1974, Holy Spirit became a separate self-supporting parish, and Father Brant moved there.

In 1974, Father Kirkley Sands became the first Bahamian rector of St. Mary's. During his administration, a new rectory was constructed. Also, the wooden floor in the nave was replaced by a solid floor and a new ceiling and the current hanging lights were installed. During the construction of the floor, five crypts were built into the center aisle of the nave. Canon James Edden, a Bahamian priest who assisted Fr. Sands was placed in one, and the late Canon Holmes was entombed in the second. The setting for the new Sung Mass, written by the late Timothy Gibson was adopted at St. Mary's, and later became the official Diocesan setting.

In February, 1979, Father Grist took over as Priest in Charge of St. Mary's. His main goals were to eliminate the debt and to continue restoration of the exterior and interior of the church. By December of 1985, Father Grist's first goal was realised as the church became debt-free. On April 18, 1986, Father Grist was officially installed as rector of St. Mary's by Bishop Michael Eldon. During his tenture Father Grist also replaced the church's roof with ceramic tiles, air conditioned the church and remodeled the school room to accommodate a fully-equipped rector's office. He also established an Outreach Ministry and Soup Kitchen to meet the needs of the disadvantaged in the neighboring community.

In September 1997, Canon Rolle took over as rector of the parish. Father Rolle completed work on the air conditioning by installing new glass doors. New pews were installed throughout the church; the wooden floor of the Server's Vestry was replaced with cement; bathrooms were added to the Priests' and Servers' Vestries; and the church yard was properly landscaped. Refurbishments were made to Our Lady's Chapel, the reredos of the High Altar, the Rood and other historic paintings of the church. He placed great emphasis on the establishment of cell groups and lay ministries within the church. Among the ministries which became active were: Christian Formation, Pastoral Care, Social Outreach, Christian Education, Evangelism, Youth, Communication and Finance.