For five generations, St. Philip's Episcopal Church has hosted weddings, weathered hurricanes and provided a summer place of worship for parishioners.

Consecrated in 1884, this year marks the 130th anniversary of "The Church by the Town Beach." The church's founder, Andrew Oliver, was a professor at the General Theological Seminary in New York. Today, his ancestors still serve on the board of trustees.

"There's a sense of history here," said Ruth Oliver Jolliffe. She is Oliver's great-granddaughter and a trustee. Jolliffe's son serves as the board's treasurer.

Designed as a summer chapel, St. Philip's opened in response to the town's growing popularity. Before it was built, services were held in the town's Congregational Church.

"In the 1870s, a large summer community sprang up after the Civil War when people started to have money again," Jolliffe said.

Open on Sundays from Independence Day through Labor Day, the church still adheres to a schedule set by Oliver, who spent his summers in Mattapoisett.

Though St. Philip's has always had a small number of parishioners, now there are about 30, it's doors have never closed. Trustees have maintained the church using donations and an endowment.

Not much has changed during the building's history. Jolliffe notes vinyl siding was added in the 1970s and the church wasn't wired for electricity until the mid-1980s. The next major upgrade will be a new roof.

Jolliffe said church members are grateful that the church has avoided major hurricane damage through the years, despite being steps away from the harbor.

Inside St. Philip's, the town's nautical history is reflected in the stained glass window behind the pulpit.

Installed in 1969, the window depicts St. Philip, a fisherman and a carpenter, with his tools and a fishing basket. Near him three fish native to Buzzards Bay are shown: a scup, striped bass and bluefish.

The window also shows a compass, the town seal and a whale – a nod to Mattapoisett's role in the whaling industry.

Because St. Philip's is a summer parish, clergy are invited to provide services week to week. Through the years Jolliffe has reached out to reverends from Massachusetts and beyond. When she first started, Jolliffe would house far away visitors in her home. Though she no longer houses visiting clergy, Jolliffe still serves them breakfast between the 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. services.

After more than a century of worship, St. Philip's has remained true to its roots.

Jolliffe said that many summer-only parishes along the East Coast have either closed or are now open year round, but St. Philip's plans to remain the same.

"We're a home away from home for our parishioners," she said.

St. Philip's offers Sunday worship service from now until Labor Day at 8 a.m and 10 a.m. The church is located at 34 Water St.