St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church (Quantico, Maryland) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church
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 Location in Maryland
Location in the United States
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| Location | Green Hill Church Rd., Quantico, Maryland |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1733 |
| NRHP reference No. | 75000929 |
| Added to NRHP | June 5, 1975 |
St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, also known as Green Hill Church, is a very old church located near Quantico, Maryland in Wicomico County, Maryland. It is an Episcopal church, which is a type of Christian church. This historic building has been around for a long time and has an interesting past.
Contents
History of Green Hill Church
How the Church Started
The church was first called Stepney Parish. It was one of the first 30 Anglican parishes (church areas) in the Province of Maryland. It was built in 1733 to serve a town called Green Hill Town. This town was supposed to be a busy port where ships could come and go.
However, Green Hill Town never really grew. Another nearby town, Salisbury, Maryland, became a very busy port instead. Salisbury was known for sending out seafood and farm products.
Changes Over Time
The original Stepney parish church was later renamed. In the mid-1800s, it became St. Bartholomew's, named after an apostle. This happened as new chapels (smaller churches) were built nearby.
The main church for Stepney Parish today is St. Mary's in Tyaskin, Maryland. This church is from the same time period and looks similar to St. Bartholomew's. Another church, St. Philip's Episcopal Church in Quantico, is also from this time. The word "Quantico" comes from a Native American word meaning "place of dancing."
The Stepney Parish area was very large. It stretched up the Wicomico River into what is now Sussex County, Delaware. Because it was so big, Stepney Parish helped start several other churches. Many of these began as "chapels of ease." These were smaller churches built for people who lived too far from the main church.
Some of these churches included Spring Hill Church in Hebron, built in 1776. St. Peter's in Salisbury was founded in 1758. Also, Old Christ Church (Laurel, Delaware) (built in 1772) and St. Luke's Protestant Episcopal Church (Seaford, Delaware) (built in 1843) were part of this history.
Church Building and Design
What the Church Looks Like
St. Bartholomew's is a one-story brick church. It has a pointed roof at the front, called a gable-front. The bricks are laid in a special pattern called "Flemish bond." You can still see the year 1733 in the restored brickwork on the side facing the water.
Inside, the church is simple. It has old-fashioned "box pews," which are like small enclosed seating areas. There are also plaques (special signs) that remember past rectors (church leaders) who served for a long time. One plaque honors William Murray Stone, who became an Episcopal Bishop of Maryland.
Surroundings and Recognition
Next to the church, there are old gravestones from the 1700s and 1800s. The church is surrounded by farm fields and a golf course.
In 1975, St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This list includes important buildings, sites, and objects that are worth preserving.
Today, the church does not have regular services. However, it opens at least once a year in August for a special worship service. This service celebrates St. Bartholomew's Day and is held by several local Episcopal churches. The church is on private land, so visitors should be respectful.
See also
- Old Christ Church (Laurel, Delaware), another historic church that was connected to Green Hill Church. It was built from wood, but in a similar style.
