Manteca ("butter" in Spanish) is near Stockton. For some time, Episcopalians resident in Manteca attended St. John's, Stockton, for services. In 1956, Fr, Paul Langpaap, Rector of St. John's, with the help of Mrs. Ed (Carolyn) Fatzer, and Evelyn McFall, was instrumental in forming the mission, In the late Spring. Fr. Langpaap, assisted by a number of Deanery clergy and several Manteca laity, made a survey of about 2800 homes in Manteca. As a result, it was decided to establish a mission work in the city. Mrs. Fatzer is credited with naming the Mission for St. Mary the Virgin, daughter of St. Joachim (San Joaquin) and St. Anne. A Bishop's Committee was appointed, and St. Mary's was received into union with the Convocation on January 29, 1957. Robert T. Fortna, on the faculty of Church Divinity School of the Pacific, was the first Deacon-in charge, taking services on weekends.

     Before the church was built, services were held in various locations, requiring much moving of books, the organ, and altar supplies. None of the places used had storage space available for these things. Ronald Swanson, a seminarian at C.D.S.P., was assigned to take Sunday services in January, 1955. The building project was begun in June. By September, 1960, the building was ready for dedication. September 4, the Sunday nearest to the Feast of the Nativity of the Virgin (September 8), was chosen for this event. By this time, Fr. John Wilcox was Vicar. He, Mrs. Fatzer and Mrs. McFall, with others, labored energetically to raise money for the church to have a home.

     Fr. B. Stanley Moore followed Fr. Wilcox as Vicar, from 1963 to 1967. During this time a vicarage and parish hall were built. Fr. Thomas Corrigan served at Manteca from 1967, then was given the added charge of St. Mark's, Tracy. He became Vicar of Tracy in 1969. After Fr. Corrigan, Fr. Gordon C. Ashbee became Vicar until his retirement on December 31, 1971. In 1972, the Rev. Percy Jerkins took the Mission, until he was forced to retire due to failing health in summer, 1953. He was followed by Fr. Maurice Furlonger, a priest from England. His wife, June, became organist and choir director. For a time, Fr. Furlonger has assisted at St. John's, Stockton, on a part-time basis, to relieve St. Mary's budget. Over the years this has been reduced as financial stability has been achieved in Manteca. At this writing, he assists at St John's one day a week. althought St. Mary's now feels capable of supporting him full-time.