Our Story

THE PARISH OF SAINT MARY

Since our founding in 1879, the Parish of Saint Mary has been a growing spiritual community and has provided a place of loving worship for many generations of Catholic families in Monmouth County’s Bayshore area. From our rural beginnings when parishioners built the first church in 1880, to the dedication of the original eight classroom structure of Saint Mary School, to more recent times when our parish community joined together to build Mary Mother of God Church, our parish has grown to be a vibrant, loving, and diverse faith-filled congregation. The Parish of Saint Mary now serves as the spiritual home of more than 5,000 Catholic families and is host to more than 65 programs and ministries.

Our parish is also an institution of learning for our students who attend Saint Mary School or take part in our Faith Formation programs. Recognized as a tremendous asset in Catholic education, our faculty, staff, and volunteers lovingly strive to provide a values-driven, faith-based education for the children of our parish. Life Teen, Saint Mary’s program for high schoolers, and our middle school youth ministry, EDGE, also help lead our youth closer to a loving relationship with Christ through Youth Mass, Music Ministry and retreats led by our valued faculty, staff, and volunteers.

When we reflect on our humble beginnings, we remain grateful for the community of faith, love, and joy that prospers here today. As we look to the future of our parish, may we all continue this spirit of generosity and care for our community and for others.  

Parish office Hours 
Monday - Friday: 8 am to 2pm
Wednesday closes at 1 pm for the Parish Staff Holy Hour.