St. Mary's Episcopal Church succeeded Calvary Parish, which was organized in 1851 at “Wannalaw,” the home of William Eggleston. The Calvary church was built in 1852-53 and consecrated by Bishop William Mercer Green in 1855. Its property was sold in 1878 to build St. Mary's. The church burned on Christmas Eve in 1894, but members saved the bell and reused it when St. Mary's was rebuilt in 1899. The first rector, Benjamin Halstead, served from 1853 to 1888, and at his request he and his family are buried beneath the chancel.