Christ Church (Stevensville, Maryland) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Christ Church
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. Historic district Contributing property
Christ Church, seen after its restoration
Location in Maryland Show map of Maryland Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Location	121 E. Main Street (MD 835), Stevensville, Maryland
Area	0 acres (0 ha)
Built	1880 (1880)
Architect	Smith, John
Architectural style	Queen Anne
NRHP reference No.	79003268
Added to NRHP	July 24, 1979

Christ Church is a name that means two things. It refers to an Episcopal church group (called a parish) in Matapeake, Maryland. It also refers to the old church building in Stevensville, Maryland. This building is part of the Stevensville Historic District.

The Episcopal group used the old building from 1880 to 1995. Today, the old building is used by a Lutheran church. Christ Church Parish was one of the first 30 Anglican church groups in the area that became Maryland.

A Long History of Faith

The Christ Episcopal Church of Kent Island is known as the oldest Christian church group in Maryland. It started in 1632. This was just one year after William Claiborne founded Kent Island. The church group has used at least six different buildings over its long history.

Early Church Locations

The first church building was located at Kent Fort. In 1652, the church moved to Broad Creek. New buildings were built there in 1712 and again in 1826.

Moving to Stevensville

The church moved to Stevensville in 1880. This happened because more people were living and working in Stevensville. The building from 1880 is the one that is now a Lutheran church. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. This list helps protect important historical places.

The Church Today

In 1995, the church group needed a bigger building. So, they moved to their current location in Matapeake. Of all the buildings the church has used, only the 1880 building and the 1995 building are still standing today.

Today, Christ Church is part of the Episcopal Diocese of Easton. They also own and run Camp Wright. This is a summer camp in Matapeake for the church's diocese.

Images for kids

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  Side view of the church, taken in 2007 before its restoration

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  The church, seen in 2007 before its restoration

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  Rectory of the church

More to Explore

• List of the oldest churches in the United States § Oldest Continuous Church Congregations