Christ Church on the corner of Church and Main Streets in Smithfield always has
something exciting going on. For a church that is almost 200 years old, it is not
an old relic. True, it is the church of the late Mallory Todd family, credited with
developing the original Smithfield hams in the mid-18th century, and with his tall
merchant ships sailed the seas delivering hams to the West Indies from the port
of Smithfield. And, Captain Todd developed the area’s first Protestant Episcopal
Church right here on top of what is now known as Wharf Hill – convenient to the
Todd’s large white house across the street.
This1832 Episcopal church has recently dressed itself up and is welcoming some
very interesting clergy. Each Sunday service begins at 10:30 and includes a
Eucharist, choral music and sermon. Delivering sermons in front of fine Tiffany
windows in a little farm town is rather unique. Sunday, November 21st, The Rev.
Martin Bagay joins the long line of priests during the 189 years this church has
served the community of Smithfield. The Rev. Bagay and Captain Todd had
something in common – their love for adventure on the high seas. The Rev.
Bagay, a priest in the Episcopal Church for 43 years, spent time on the carrier
USS Coral Sea (CV43) and served as an active duty Navy Chaplain for five
years in Iceland, followed by 10 years as a reserve Marine Chaplain, and then 9
years as the College Chaplain at The College of William and Mary, and
numerous parishes throughout the south and mid-west. Recently he was
Transitional Rector of Saint Aidan’s Episcopal Church in Virginia Beach. The
Rev. Bagay will have similar responsibilities at Christ Church. The congregation
hopes to benefit from his experience and enjoy hearing about his adventures.
The Rev. Bagay’s wife, Katie, is a Bank Officer with Truist in Norfolk. They have
three children: Annie, 27, John 25, and Johanna, a Senior at JMU. The
resonance in his voice is noticeable, and the church looks forward to having a
singing priest once again.