The church that stands today at 27 Somers Road is the second church building our parish has occupied.  It was dedicated by Bishop Christopher Weldon on October 5, 1963.

The town of Hampden was originally a settlement in the southern part of Wilbraham, known as "South Wilbraham."  In 1878 the settlement separated from Wilbraham and became known as "Hampden."   The following year, on Trinity Sunday, May 23, 1879, the new Catholic Church in Hampden, (a mission of Monson), was dedicated by Bishop O'Reilly of Springfield, under the patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

St. Mary's Cemetery was consecrated that same day, Trinity Sunday, May 23, 1879. Before this time, Catholics held Masses as far back as 1869 in the Academy Hall, as well as private residences, such as the house of James McCarthy on Riverside Drive. There were no telephones at that time, and it was necessary to get the word around throughout the town when a Mass was to be said.

Reverend Jeremiah McCarthy, second pastor of St. Patrick's Church in Monson, would travel to Hampden to say Mass whenever the weather permitted. Father McCarthy visited the various homes to baptize the babies.

Three mills were running at that time, and Hampden was a thriving community. The population was growing and there was plenty of employment, and the need of a Catholic church was apparent to the pastor.

In 1879, Timothy and Julia McCarthy offered to sell some land which adjoined their home lot (Lester Lewis property west of BIRCHES Apartments). The offer was accepted and a contractor, John Murphy of Chicopee engaged. The church cost $2,600. Unfortunately it was not until April, 1905, that this debt was finally paid off.

One by one, the mills burned, that last one in 1904.

As there was no room for a horse shed, which was necessary at that time, the church was moved eighteen feet forward. Additional land was unable to be obtained. Stained glass windows were largely memorials given by local families. It was the custom in those days to heat the church by wood, which was donated by parishioners. There was no lighting other than oil lamps until 1938, when electricity was installed. On dark mornings in winter, kerosene lamps were carried to the church to enable the priest to say Mass.

There were few weddings in the early days; many of the young people travelled to Monson for weddings. The first funeral was that of Edward O'Brien in 1880.  He was the first to be buried in St. Mary's Cemetery, and today his family has an eight-grave lot.

Father McCarthy was pastor for one year after the church was built. He was succeeded by Rev. John F. Lee. Reverend Thomas O'Keefe was pastor for 47 years, which is believed to be the longest pastorate in the history of the Springfield Diocese. Father O'Keefe performed 500 marriages, and baptized 1,000 persons. St. Mary's Catholic Women's Club was organized in 1932. Through the years the members have worked diligently to encourage and promote all religious, educational, charitable, and social interests of St. Mary's Church, and civic interests in the Town of Hampden. Father O'Keefe died in 1941 and was followed by Reverend Ralph O'Neil, in 1942. Reverend Henry Burke was to be the last Mission Pastor, with Reverend George Dudley as curate. In 1947 the first Midnight Mass was celebrated.

In 1951 Father John Shea was assigned to St. Mary's as the first full-time Pastor. It was also Father Shea's first pastorate. The first and necessary step was to build a rectory. Mr. and Mrs. Clement Duchesne gave sufficient land for a rectory and a new church. Augustus Ammann of Palmer was awarded the contract, for $20,000. There were two Masses on Sunday. In 1954 St. Mary's celebrated its Diamond Jubilee and was known at that time as "the biggest little" parish in the diocese. A rustic Shrine was built this year.