Our History

A Parish Born on Long Hill

When St. Margaret Mary Parish was established in 1963, the Long Hill section of Shelton looked very different than it does today. The area was characterized by gently rolling hills, expansive farms, wooded landscapes, and only a scattering of homes. Familiar landmarks such as Long Hill School, the First United Methodist Church, Long Hill Convalescent Home, and many of the neighborhoods and businesses that now define the community had yet to be built. It was a quiet and rural corner of Shelton, poised for growth.

Recognizing the rapid development that would soon come to the area, The Most Reverend Walter W. Curtis, Bishop of Bridgeport, decreed the establishment of a new parish to serve the growing Catholic population of Long Hill. He designated a parcel of land atop Long Hill as the parish site and placed the new community under the patronage of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, the seventeenth-century French Visitation nun whose devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus has inspired Catholics throughout the world. Her feast day is celebrated each year on October 16.

Bishop Curtis entrusted the new parish to its founding pastor, Rev. William Fletcher, who received the official decree establishing the parish and defining its boundaries. Before a church could be built, parishioners gathered for the celebration of Mass in the gymnasium of Sunnyside School on River Road. Those early weeks were marked by tremendous enthusiasm as the first parish organizations—including the Ladies Guild and the Men's League—were established, laying the foundation for the vibrant parish family that continues today.

Building a Parish Community

Construction of the parish church and school began before the winter of 1963. By the spring of 1964 the new building was taking shape, and throughout the summer parishioners watched with anticipation as landscaping was completed and furnishings installed.

In September 1964, just one year after the parish was founded, the first Mass was celebrated in the newly completed church. Only days later, St. Margaret Mary School welcomed its first students, becoming not only a center of Catholic education but also the heart of parish life. The church and school quickly became gathering places where generations of families worshipped, learned, celebrated, and grew together in faith.

Meeting Challenges with Faith

In 1968, Rev. Philip Brady succeeded Father Fletcher as pastor. His first assignment brought significant challenges. Although the parish was rich in faith and generosity, it carried a substantial mortgage debt while facing the difficult economic realities of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Rising inflation, economic uncertainty, and increasing operating costs placed tremendous pressure on the young parish.

After much prayer and careful discernment, the difficult decision was made to close St. Margaret Mary School in June 1973. Though heartbreaking for parish families, the decision reflected the financial realities facing many Catholic schools across the country during that period.

The closing of the school created another challenge: determining the future of the church-school-convent complex. For several years, the parish searched for a suitable use for the property.

Those prayers were answered in September 1975, when the City of Shelton purchased the complex to establish a regional school serving children with special needs. The sale proved to be a blessing for the parish. It eliminated the outstanding mortgage debt and provided the resources needed to build a new church on property located behind the original building.

Construction of the present church began in November 1975 and continued throughout the winter months. During this time, parishioners once again gathered for Sunday Mass in a local school gymnasium—this time at Long Hill School—reminiscent of the parish's earliest days at Sunnyside School.

On Sunday, June 27, 1976, the parish celebrated a milestone when the first Mass was offered in the beautiful new church on its day of dedication. The new sanctuary became a visible sign of the faith, perseverance, and generosity of the parishioners whose sacrifices had made it possible.

Continuing to Grow

Over the decades that followed, St. Margaret Mary Parish continued to flourish as Long Hill itself transformed from farmland into one of Shelton's most vibrant residential communities. New generations of parishioners found a spiritual home where they celebrated the sacraments, raised their families in the Catholic faith, and formed lasting friendships rooted in Christ.

The parish has been blessed by the dedicated leadership of many pastors who have faithfully guided the community through times of growth and change. Among them was Monsignor Thomas J. Whalen, who served as pastor with exceptional warmth, compassion, and pastoral care.

Ordained a priest for the Diocese of Bridgeport in 1967, Monsignor Whalen had previously served at Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Fairfield, as chaplain at Bridgeport Hospital, and as pastor of St. Ambrose Parish in Bridgeport before coming to St. Margaret Mary. His approachable manner, deep spirituality, and genuine love for people made him beloved throughout the parish. Whether celebrating the sacraments, visiting the sick, supporting families in times of joy and sorrow, or simply greeting parishioners after Mass with his familiar smile, Monsignor Whalen embodied the heart of a shepherd. His ministry strengthened the bonds of the parish community, and his legacy of faith, kindness, and service continues to inspire those who knew him.

Following Monsignor Whalen's passing in 2012, the parish continued its mission under the leadership of devoted pastors who have built upon the strong foundation laid by their predecessors. Today, under the leadership of Rev. Timothy A. Iannacone, St. Margaret Mary Parish remains a vibrant Catholic community committed to proclaiming the Gospel, celebrating the sacraments, serving those in need, and forming disciples of Jesus Christ.

Looking Forward

More than sixty years after its founding, St. Margaret Mary Parish continues to be a place where faith is nurtured, families are strengthened, and Christ is encountered in Word, Sacrament, and service. From humble beginnings in a school gymnasium to the thriving parish it is today, the story of St. Margaret Mary is one of vision, sacrifice, perseverance, and unwavering trust in God's providence.

As we look to the future, we give thanks for the generations of parishioners, clergy, religious, teachers, volunteers, and benefactors whose faith and generosity have shaped our parish. Together we continue the mission begun in 1963: to be a welcoming community centered on the Eucharist, devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus through the patronage of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, and committed to sharing the love of Christ with all.