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St. Brendan-the-Navigator |
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Episcopal Church |
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Stonington, Maine |
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A young parish, the origins of this community only extend back to the mid-70’s when a retired priest would celebrate the Eucharist for a few interested Episcopalians during Christmas or Easter. In 1982, two women, Barbara Coan and Marcia Scott, began in earnest to organize an Episcopal presence on Deer Isle. The Diocese was supportive of their efforts, and soon a small group of Episcopalians were meeting once a month in the afternoon at St. Mary’s Star of the Sea. In 1985, a clergy couple accepted the call to serve as priests for what became known as The Downeast Cluster, a consortium of three Episcopal churches in the area: Trinity in Castine, St. Francis in Blue Hill, and St. Brendan’s in Stonington. Subsequent years showed rapid change: St. Francis hiring full-time clergy, Trinity and St. Brendan’s served by part-time priests. St. Brendan’s has been blessed with very special clergy, both men and women, all of whom established close personal ties with members of the congregation and are loved by the community. A brief timeline indicates the depth and diversity of St. Brendan’s clergy: 7/82 - 6/84 David Plank. 3/85 - 5/86 Jillian Sydney Howell and Earle Thompson. The Downeast Cluster 8/86 - 4/87 William Ellis and John Hedger. Interim Priests 10/87 - 10/89 Henry Bird. Shared ministry with St. Francis and Trinity 10/89 - 1/91 Cynthia Bourgeault. Part-Time Priest 1/91 - 6/93 David Van Dusen. Interim Priest 7/93 - 6/99 Holly Antolini. Half-time Priest 7/99 - 7/00 Walter Dickhaut. Interim Priest 7/00 - 12/06 Lawrence Estey. 12/06 - Present Emily S. Gibson. Interim Priest |
Our History |
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© 2006 St. Brendan the Navigator Episcopal Church All rights reserved Original Art work by Siri Beckman |