Chatham Honors And Celebrates Reverend Mary Davis

CHATHAM, NJ — She helped out the greater Chatham community during the pandemic and for that - and her years of service to Chatham - Chatham Borough Council declared Wednesday “Reverend Mary Davis Day.”

Chatham Township plans to recognize Davis with its own celebration and “Mary Davis Day,” on the agenda for the Chatham Township Committee meeting on Thursday.

Davis, who has served with St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, submitted a request to retire effective July 11, according the Chatham Borough proclamation from Mayor Thaddeus Kobylarz from July 12.

Davis, it says, is planning to head to Knoxville, Tennessee for her retirement.

“Rev. Davis has proven to be a spiritual leader, counselor, friend and confidante to her parishioners, as well as to many individuals outside of the St. Paul’s Episcopal Parish,” Kobylarz’s proclamation read. “She has shown herself to be a concerned and compassionate leader not just within her local church, but among and for the entire Chatham community.”

Davis participated in weekly “Mayor Roundtable” meetings with Chatham Borough, acting as a liaison for local clergy, to provide insights she gathered during the pandemic about Chatham residents. As part of that, Kobylarz wrote in his proclamation, the community started the “Chatham Food Drive” at Chatham United Methodist Church, which Davis also assisted with.

“Rev. Davis’ hope upon her arrival in Chatham Borough 10 years ago was to grow a community of faith, which she has undoubtedly achieved,” Kobylarz said. “Chatham has been blessed by her dedicated service to this community for each and every day she has been among us.”

“We wish her the very best in her retirement and all of the blessings that come with it,” Kobylarz said.

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