From a South Main Street Brick House to Ehrhardt Road
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Pearl River, New York traces its roots back to the early 1880s, when the Rev. Thomas Stephens, then rector of St. Paul's Church in Spring Valley, began leading worship in one of the brick houses on South Main Street. After several years of home gatherings, missionary funds from the Diocese of New York allowed the small congregation to break ground on a church of its own. The cornerstone was laid October 13, 1887, and the first service was held December 4, 1887.
The parish was organized as a mission on June 11, 1924, but it was the spring of 1926 that tested the congregation's resolve. To escape the annual flooding of nearby Muddy Creek, the building was moved three blocks uphill. The relocation took almost two weeks because workers had to maneuver the structure across the railroad tracks. Once settled, a wing larger than the original building was added to accommodate the growing church.
The Rev. Kenneth W. Mann became the first resident minister in 1941, and on April 30, 1952, St. Stephen's declared itself an independent, self-supporting parish. Ground was broken on the current church at 84 Ehrhardt Road on June 8, 1958, and the first services were held in the nearly finished building on December 14 of that year. A second rector, the Rev. Benson Fisher, oversaw construction of the sanctuary that was completed in 1966, with the first service held September 11 and a dedication ceremony on September 25.
A Parish That Has Trained Many Priests
St. Stephen's has been a training ground across the years for a number of priests, and the parish has celebrated several ordinations to the diaconate and priesthood, some from members reared in the congregation itself. The Rev. Orion W. Davis, the third rector beginning in February 1976, helped launch the Episcopal Youth Fellowship and adult Christian Education. The fourth rector, the Rev. Bruce A. Rodgers, led the parish through its centennial year starting in October 1983 and guided a three-year Centennial Fund capital campaign. The Rev. George Adamik, called in September 1991, drew in young families and built the parish's outreach work, including a covenant with Habitat for Humanity. In June 2001, the Rev. Susan Fortunato became the first full-time female rector and spearheaded a multiyear effort that secured grant funding for a professional roof repair that still holds today.
Sunday Worship at 9:30
Sunday morning worship at St. Stephen's begins at 9:30 am. Most Sundays the congregation gathers for Holy Eucharist, with Morning Prayer observed on the last Sunday of the month. A service of Evening Prayer is held at 7:00 pm on the first Wednesday of every month. The current sanctuary anchors the campus and shares space with a chapel, classrooms, and offices. A Cape Cod-style house adjacent to the church serves as the parish rectory.
Clergy Shared Through the Rockland Collaboration
St. Stephen's is a congregation of the Episcopal Diocese of New York and part of the worldwide Anglican Communion. In March 2025, the parish joined with other Episcopal congregations in Rockland County to form the Rockland Collaboration, a covenant of churches committed to worshipping, learning, and serving together across their separate walls.
Under this shared model, the parish is supported by the Rockland Missioner Team, the Rev. Michelle Meech and the Rev. Deacon Lainie Murrell. The Rev. Alon White serves as St. Stephen's Parish Chaplain, providing consistent leadership for Sunday worship. Two wardens, Gwyn Murray and Eric Foote, work with the rest of the Vestry to guide the spiritual and fiduciary life of the parish. Music Director Naseer Ashraf leads the congregation in song, and Patricia Fickes serves as verger.
The Food Cupboard
The St. Stephen's Food Cupboard has operated out of 84 Ehrhardt Road for more than forty years. Run by church volunteers, it serves families in need who reside in Rockland County, with distribution held one day each month. Identification is required, and one set of bags is provided per household. The pantry is funded through a mix of county, state, and federal grants alongside private donations from parishioners and local institutions. Over the past three years the number of recipients has more than doubled; on average, the pantry now serves upwards of 60 families monthly. The cupboard has expanded its offerings beyond staples to include fresh meats and dairy whenever grant funding allows.
Youth, Formation, and Stewardship
The Episcopal Youth Fellowship (EYF), coordinated by Ray Stormes together with lay leaders and the parish clergy, is reconnecting young members of the congregation as in-person programming resumes. Christian Education for adults and children has been a long-standing part of parish life, and intergenerational events remain a regular feature of the church calendar.
Stewardship at St. Stephen's is rooted in the parish's belief that time, talent, and treasure are given with joy. The annual Walk With Hope campaign invites members to pledge their support of worship, formation, and outreach.
Parish Hall and Lounge Rentals
Two spaces are available for community use. The Parish Hall seats up to 100 people and has a fully functional kitchen attached. The Lounge accommodates up to 50 and includes a 48-inch Smart TV and Blu-ray player. Inquiries about rentals can be directed to the parish office.
Mission, Vision, and Values
St. Stephen's describes itself as an open and affirming community endeavoring to celebrate the life and love of Jesus Christ by worshipping God, welcoming all, and bearing witness to God's love in the world. The parish's vision is to be a sanctuary where people can discover the God of all creation. Its values are short and direct: Love God, Love Your Neighbor, Change the World.