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Culture: Historic Churches

Southern Maryland is steep in American history. European settlers first arrived on St. Clement's Island in March 1634 aboard the Ark and Dove sailing ships. As the settlers spread inland, they carried their strong Catholic Christian beliefs with them. For this reason, the tri-county area is populated with many historic churches dating back to the 1600's. Many of the churches bear great religious and historic significance. For example, the Mount Carmel Monastery in La Plata was the first monastery of religious women in Colonial America. The St. Ignatius Church in Port Tobacco is the nation's oldest active parish with a continual pastorate.

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Local History@ (22)

Southern Maryland was one of the first colonial settlements. As such, it is steep in culture and history. Many fine books have been written about our local history. This is the only on-line location where you will find most of them.

LINKS:

All Saints Episcopal Church
Oakley Road
PO Box 307
Avenue, MD 20609
301-769-4288   
View Map via: Google Maps :

Letting the light of All Saints so shine that all who come in contact with us will see the glory of God reflected in our work and worship, and so be drawn into the community of worship which is Christ's body.
[ Last Updated: 09-Jun-2003 |  Reader Comments  Report Problem

All Saints Episcopal Church
Corner of MD Routes 2 and 4
P.O. Box 1692
Sunderland, MD 20689
410-257-6306    301-855-3056   
View Map via: Google Maps :

This church ranks as one of the finest examples of Georgian ecclesiastical architecture in Southern Maryland. An historic colonial church dating from 1692. We are a vibrant Christian community seeking to learn and live out God's will through worship, helping those less fortunate, and fellowship.
[ Last Updated: 09-Apr-2009 |  Reader Comments  Report Problem

Christ Episcopal Church
3090 Broomes Island Road
Port Republic, MD 20676
410-586-0565    410-586-1062   
View Map via: Google Maps :

One of the original parishes of the province of Maryland, Christ Church began as a log church standing as early as 1672. The present brick church dates from 1772 and has continued as a place of worship to this day.
[ Last Updated: 09-Jun-2003 |  Reader Comments  Report Problem

Christ Episcopal Church
https://www.cckqp.net/
25390 Maddox Road
PO Box 8
Chaptico, MD 20621
301-884-3451   
Contact via E-Mail
View Map via: Google Maps :

Christ Episcopal Church

Christ Church, King and Queen Parish, in the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, has served the ministry of Christ's work in the world for more than 300 years. King and Queen Parish is one of two original colonial parishes in the area now known as St. Mary's County. The original boundaries of the parish were reduced in size as newer parishes were established.

Founded by colonists both fearless and reverent, who established roots that grew deep into the traditions of this land, our church community believes that we are called to be people of prayer, dedicated to proclaiming a lively faith in God, and service to others in the name of Christ. We strive to live by the message and lessons of Christ, in which there are no outcasts and all are welcome.

Our congregation is home to a diverse cross-section of people of varying backgrounds, ages, incomes, and degrees of spiritual enlightenment. The Episcopal Church does not discriminate for reasons of race, gender, sexual orientation, family status, country of origin, or comfort level with organized religion. We are sacramental, worship-oriented, and encourage thoughtful, well-informed discernment about what God is calling us to do and be as followers of Christ. In short, we aspire to the kind of contagious Christianity that can influence and encourage the entire community, one life at a time.

 [ More info & photo ]
[ Last Updated: 16-Jan-2019 | Hits: 1082 |  Reader Comments  Report Problem

Dent Chapel (1883)
Charlotte Hall, MD 20622
301-884-8171   

Built of granite with decorative brick belt, it is perhaps the best example of Victorian Gothic architecture in Maryland.
[ Last Updated: 02-Jun-2003 |  Reader Comments  Report Problem

Emmanuel United Methodist Church
http://www.eumchuntingtown.com/
1250 Emanuel Church Road
PO Box 484
Huntingtown, MD 20639
410-535-3177    FAX: 410-535-3074   
Contact via E-Mail
View Map via: Google Maps :

This L-shaped stone-faced church includes a heavy, squat square bell tower in the northwest corner. The tower's bell-cast pyramidal roof is topped by a ball finial. The construction of the sanctuary was completed in 1903. Melvin Grover, Pastor.
[ Last Updated: 22-Jan-2011 | Hits: 929 |  Reader Comments  Report Problem

John Wesley African Methodist Episcopal Church
Mechanicsville, MD 20659

John Wesley Chapel once stood as one of the earliest African American Methodist Episcopal churches in St. Mary's County, MD. It's large number of grave sites are marked by engraved tombstones, fieldstones or depressions, south of a pile of rubble which marks the site of the chapel.
[ Last Updated: 21-Feb-2016 |  Reader Comments  Report Problem

Mount Carmel Monastery
http://www.carmelofporttobacco.com
5678 Mount Carmel Road
La Plata, MD 20646-3625
301-934-1654   
Contact via E-Mail
View Map via: Google Maps :

Mount Carmel Monastery

The monastery was founded in 1790 by four Carmelite nuns. It was the first monastery of religious women in Colonial America. The monastery is still the active home of the discalced Carmelite Nuns of the Carmel of Port Tobacco. The Carmelite life is a call to prayer, tempered with hard work and shared community. As there is a great need in the Church for both Marys and Marthas, the Carmelite is called to be that Mary—serving the Church by prayerfully sitting at the feet of our Lord. She is the intercessor in an age that cries out for intercession.

The public is invited to visit the monastery. The grounds and the church are open to all. Mass is held daily at 7:15 a.m. in the red brick church. There is also a gift shop that is filled with religious and informational items as well as objects that are hand-crafted by several of the nuns. The nuns rely solely on the generosity of the public for their survival. The gift shop is one source of revenue for them. The shop is often not staffed and works on the honor system. So, be sure to bring plenty of small bills or you can also write a personal check.

The nuns spend most of their day sequestered so that they can tend to their primary mission of prayer and intercession. They are happy to receive prayer requests. You can use the on-line contact link or write to them at the address provided. When visiting the Monastery, you may leave items or communications for the nuns via a turnstile that is located inside the building.

 [ Photo ]
[ Last Updated: 17-May-2016 | Hits: 3100 |  Reader Comments  Report Problem

Mount Hope United Methodist Church
Dalrymple Road
Sunderland, MD 20689
410-257-3206   
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Originally built in 1860, Mt. Hope was "rebuilt" in 1923.
[ Last Updated: 09-Jun-2003 |  Reader Comments  Report Problem

Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church
14400 Solomons Island Road South
PO Box 560
Solomons, MD 20688-0560
410-326-3535    410-326-3171   
View Map via: Google Maps :

Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church Established in 1888, this is the oldest Catholic church and parish in Calvert County.  [ More info & photo ]
[ Last Updated: 09-Jun-2003 |  Reader Comments  Report Problem