Some of the oldest churches
in the nation
The natural beauty that surrounds these sites as well as their magnificent
architecture would rival their ancestors of Europe. The breathtaking
stained-glass windows and aging (and often elaborate) gravestones are
only a couple of the details symbolizing the importance of religious
faith throughout the centuries. Some of the histories that accompany
the churches are as fascinating as stories from the Bible. Many of the
churches house antique chalices and other ceremonial icons; St. Ignatius
possesses a relic of the True Cross carried to America on the Ark and
the Dove. Come experience the time-honored traditions and values of
Charles County’s historic churches. Take the Maryland
Scenic Byways: Southern Regions RELIGIOUS
FREEDOM TOUR.
St.
Ignatius Church and Thomas Manor House (1641),
Chapel Point
8855 Chapel Point Road, Port Tobacco; 301-934-8245; Roman Catholic
The nation’s oldest active parish with a continual pastorate, St. Ignatius
was founded in 1641 by the Reverend Andrew White, S. J. who accompanied
Catholic settlers to Maryland in 1634. The church and manor house, a
residence for priests at Chapel Point for more than 300 years, is located
on a 120-foot bluff overlooking the mouth of the Port Tobacco River
where it joins the Potomac. Pictures
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St.
Peter’s Church (1700),
Waldorf
3320 St. Peter’s Drive, Waldorf; 301-843-8916; Roman Catholic
St. Peter’s Church possesses the charm of maturity, but the age of the
church is not as great as that of the parish it serves, for it was here
that Charles County’s third Catholic parish was established in 1700.
St. Peter’s Church was preceded by St. Ignatius Church which was built
in the old cemetery, about one mile east of the present church ground.
The site of the old cemetery is one that impresses the visitor with
a sense of strength and endurance, as one walks among the age worn tombstones,
reading names of those who labored to build the old frame chapel that
was used for about 150 years.
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St.
Joseph’s Church (1763),
Pomfret
Route 227 & St. Joseph’s Way, Pomfret ; 301-609-4670; Roman Catholic
Set among fields of tobacco and stretches of forest is St. Joseph’s
Church, homey and comfortable. The cemetery of some eight acres contains
graves of venerable heroes of the Revolutionary War, the Civil War,
and both World Wars, as well as civilian parishioners. The first Catholic
chapel in the Pomfret area, built in 1763, was a small frame chapel
which stood on a site about 100 yards northeast of the present church.
This small chapel served the purpose of a funeral chapel while "stations,"
private homes, were used for services. Mass was said for the first time
in the new St. Joseph’s Church on January 6, 1849.
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Mount
Carmel Monastery (1790)
Mt. Carmel Drive, La Plata; 301-934-1654; Roman Catholic
Founded by four Carmelite nuns in 1790, the Mount Carmel Monastery was
the first monastery of religious women in Colonial America. Three of
the four founding nuns, Ann Matthews and her two nieces, Ann Theresa
and Susanna Matthews, and their chaplain, Reverend Charles Neale, were
natives of Charles County. Two of the original convent buildings have
been restored and are open to visitors.
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St.
Mary’s Church (1674),
Newport
11555 St. Mary’s Church Road, Charlotte Hall; 301-934-8825; Roman Catholic
This was the first Franciscan Catholic church in the colonies. Though
the original chapel is gone, there is a church building built around
1800 that serves as a parish hall. St. Mary’s was recognized in the
thirties and forties for devotions and a shrine honoring the Curé d’
Ars, St. John Vianney, promoted by the late Father William Baldus.
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Christ
Church-Durham Parish (1692),
Ironsides
Christ
Church-Port Tobacco Parish (1692),
La Plata 
Trinity
Church,
Newport; Oldfields Chapel,
Hughesville (1744) Trinity Parish
