The church was built in 1853 through the
generosity of Mr. and Mrs. James H. Weeks as a memorial to
beloved granddaughter who died in 1850 and was buried on St.
Andrews day, November 30, and so the church bears the name of
that saint.
Of Gothic architecture, the
church is surrounded by a square tower. The porch at the
entrance, with its round columns is in harmony with the rest of
the building,
The first rite of
Confirmation was performed on July 5, 1855, by Bishop Potter to
J. H. Weeks, W. J. Weeks, and Mary C. Weeks, and on September 3.
1857, the Rev. Walter Stirling performed the first marriage
ceremony uniting Charlotte Howell and Frank Ward.
In 1872 a debt of $500,
still due on the building was liquidated through generosity of
Charles Jeffery Smith of Mastic, in memory of his wife Mrs. Letitia Suydam Smith.
Shortly afterwards, Mr. and Mrs. Weeks
conveyed the building an lot surrounding it to the Episcopal
Diocese of Long Island. On July 14, 1873 the church was formally
consecrated at a service conducted by the Rev. A. N. Littlejohn,
the first bishop of the Diocese of Long Island assisted by five
clergy of the Island.
In 1904 the fiftieth
anniversary of the church was formally observed by holding there
the annual meeting of the archdeaconry of Suffolk county.
The great hurricane of 1938
toppled many trees in the church yard, and although several fell
and damaged the roof no damage was done to the stained glass
windows nor to the cross and candlesticks on the altar.
Throughout the 100 years
of its existence the doors of St. Andrews have never been closed,
and services have regularly been held. Seminary students, lay
readers, and the Brothers of St. Joseph have held services when
no ordained priest was available. W. J. Weeks of Yaphank was
appointed a lay reader in 1861 and performed this office for 10
years. Sometimes with the assistance of visiting clergyman.