St. Francis Xavier Church (Warwick, Maryland) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
St. Francis Xavier Church
|
|
 |
|
 Location in Maryland
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 1445 Bohemia Church Road, Warwick, Maryland |
|---|---|
| Area | 123.8 acres (50.1 ha) |
| Built | 1792 |
| NRHP reference No. | 75000884 |
| Added to NRHP | October 10, 1975 |
St. Francis Xavier Church, often called Old Bohemia, is a historic Catholic church in Warwick, Cecil County, Maryland, United States. It is located on land that was once a large estate known as Bohemia Manor. This church has a long and interesting history, playing an important role in early American Catholic life.
History of Old Bohemia
Early Beginnings of the Mission
In 1704, a group of priests called the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) bought a farm here. They started a mission, which is a place where religious work is done. This was the second Jesuit mission in Maryland. It began about 50 years after the first mission, Newtown Manor, was founded in St. Mary's County, Maryland.
A School for Future Leaders
The mission also had a school. Many important early American Catholic leaders studied here. One famous student was John Carroll, who later became the first Catholic archbishop in the United States. His cousin, Charles Carroll, a founding father who signed the Declaration of Independence, also attended this school.
Spreading the Faith
Priests from this mission traveled across the Delmarva Peninsula. They shared their faith in areas that are now part of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Wilmington. Their work helped establish Catholic communities in these regions.
A Heroine's Grave
The church has a graveyard with many old graves. One of the most famous people buried there is Catherine "Kitty" Knight (1775–1855). She is remembered for her bravery during the War of 1812. Kitty Knight helped save an elderly neighbor, the church, and much of Georgetown, Maryland. Sadly, her own house was destroyed by fire during the war.
The Church Building and Its Features
Main Buildings on the Property
The most historic parts of the site are a brick church and a brick rectory. A rectory is the house where the priests live. The church was built shortly after the American Revolutionary War and was officially opened in 1797. The rectory was built in the early 1800s. A small, one-story hallway connects the church and the rectory.
Design of the Church
The church building is made of brick. It has four sections deep and three sections wide. A tall, three-story brick tower was added to the front of the church after it was first built in 1792.
The Rectory and Other Structures
The rectory is a two-and-a-half-story brick building. It is five sections long. It has a two-section-long hallway connecting it to the church. On the other end, there is a two-section-long kitchen. The property also includes a public graveyard. There is also a more modern barn and a farmhouse on the land.
Challenges and Preservation
In 1912, a fire badly damaged the inside of the church. However, the church was rebuilt using its original walls. Regular church services stopped in the 1920s but have started again in recent times. In 1954, a group of people from different faiths started the Old Bohemia Historical Society. This society bought the main 120 acres of the property. They now take care of the historic site, making sure it is preserved for future generations.
National Recognition
Because of its historical importance, St. Francis Xavier Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. This means it is recognized as a special place worth protecting.
External links
- St. Francis Xavier Church and Rectory, Cecil County, including undated photo, at Maryland Historical Trust
- History of St. Francis Xavier Shrine, Old Bohemia, 1704–2004 , by Rev. Thomas J. Peterman; St. Dennis Church website
