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Or could I go in, sit in a back pew and pray quietly and leave when finished?
Not sure if your St. Mary's has Eucharistic Adoration (where Jesus -- the Host -- is in a Monstrance (not necessarily in the church proper) for the faithful to Adore; check here to find out), but it doesn't matter as Christ (the consecrated Host) is in the Tabernacle (little box behind the altar or to the side), which brings a wonderful peace to the church. Anyway, one does not need to believe in Christ (who would know?) to enter the Catholic Church, and one certainly does not need to be Catholic either.

If the church does not have Adoration, and their doors are locked when not having a Mass, you could attend a daily-Mass in part or in full (they are about 25-30 minutes long; their times are online on the St. Mary's website) and stay afterward to pray too. Anytime the door is open, you're welcome to come on in, and sit wherever you like. I've even attended the wedding and funeral Masses of people I didn't even know. :):)

Of course I know Christ.

The church lists “perpetual”

so I assume that means the doors are open to the chappel 24/7?

Thanks for your info.