St. Mary's-By-The-Sea

St. Mary's-By-The-Sea is a church building with a cruciform layout, constructed from stone and stucco with buttresses reinforcing the nave. The central tower at the crossing features a distinctive crenellated top that makes it visible from surrounding areas.

The building was constructed in 1902 following designs by English architect Henry Vaughan and replaced an earlier chapel. This rebuilding became necessary as the summer congregation expanded and required larger spaces.

The church reflects how wealthy seasonal residents shaped their summer homes through architectural investments in early twentieth-century Maine. It shows how these visitors supported religious buildings that matched their artistic preferences and social standing.

The building sits on South Shore Road and functions as an active place of worship with regular services. It shares administrative responsibilities with Saint Jude's Episcopal Church in nearby Seal Harbor, which visitors may also visit.

The granite used for construction came from a local roadbed that the community needed to lower for better traffic flow. This practical solution connected the building project directly to the town's infrastructure needs.

Location: Maine

Inception: 1902

GPS coordinates: 44.28861,-68.28583

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:09