St. Mary's Church: The Rev. Dr. Reuben Denton Nevius

St. Mary's history began with the formation of a Mission Station on West Fowl River at least by 1869. The first priest-in-charge was the Rev. Dr. Reuben Denton Nevius (1827-1913). Dr. Nevius was born in Ovid, New York and received his A.B. from Union College, Schenectady, New York. Ordained deacon in 1853 by Bishop Stephen Elliot of Georgia and priested by the Rt. Rev. Nicholas Hamner Cobbs, Bishop of Alabama at St. Paul's Church, Carlowville in 1854; Dr. Nevius was made rector of Christ Church, Tuscaloosa in 1855 and married Margaret Mercer Tuomey-daughter of his mentor Prof. Michael Tuomey of the University of Alabama-in 1867. Following work in Pennsylvania, Dr. Nevius returned to Alabama as the 4th Rector of St. John's, Mobile where he remained until 1872. It was while rector of St. John's that he began the work as St. Mary's priest-in-charge. Dr. Nevius also distinguished himself as a botanist and is credited with the discovery of several plant species including neviusia alabamensis - the Alabama Snow Wreath. Dr. Nevius died on Dec. 14, 1913 having founded more than 30 churches in Pennsylvania, Alabama, Oregon and Washington state.