St. James Church (Monkton, Maryland) facts for kids
St. James Church is a very old and important church located in Monkton, Maryland. It's an Episcopal church, which is a type of Christian church. This historic building has been around for a long time and has seen many changes in the area. It's a special place that tells us a lot about the history of Maryland.
Quick facts for kids |
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St. James Church
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 Location in Maryland
Location in the United States
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| Location | 3100 Monkton Road, Monkton, Maryland |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1755 |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| NRHP reference No. | 74000941 |
| Added to NRHP | September 12, 1974 |
Contents
History of St. James Church
In 1713, Charles Calvert, 3rd Baron Baltimore, gave a huge piece of land, about 10,000 acres, to his wife. This land later became known as My Lady's Manor. Over time, more people started to settle in this area, especially in the 1700s. A grist mill was built near the Gunpowder River in Monkton.
Because more people lived there, a small church building, called a chapel of ease, was built. This was a place where people could worship closer to home. Priests from a larger church in Joppatown would visit regularly to lead services.
Becoming a Separate Parish
In 1770, Maryland's government decided that St. James should be its own separate church area, called a parish. Before this, it was part of a larger parish. A few years later, in 1773, Baltimore and Harford Counties were split apart. The Gunpowder River became the border between them.
During the American Revolutionary War, the government took control of the My Lady's Manor land. They even used the church building to store gunpowder! After the war, in 1782, the state of Maryland sold the land to farmers who had been renting it. Many families in the area today are descendants of these original farmers. By 1795, the church had about 1600 members.
Monkton Road and the Railroad
Monkton Road was a very important path for Native Americans long ago. It was also a key route during the Revolutionary War. However, a new road built in 1803 between Baltimore and York, Pennsylvania changed things. People started moving west, and this specific area remained mostly rural.
Even so, the nearby town of Monkton became a stop on the Baltimore and Susquehanna Railroad. This railroad later became part of the Northern Central Railway. Today, that old railway line is no longer used for trains. Instead, it's a popular path for biking and walking, called the Northern Central Railroad Trail.
Architecture of St. James Church
The main part of St. James Church was built in 1755. It's a brick building, 60 feet long and 30 feet wide. Its style is a Maryland version of Georgian architecture, which was popular at the time. Over the years, more parts were added to the church in the 1700s, 1800s, and 1900s. The inside of the church was last updated in 2005.
The tall bell tower you see today was built in 1884. Around the church, there is a cemetery where people are buried. A stone wall surrounds the cemetery.
Other Buildings and Academy
A school was built next to the church in 1821. However, its buildings were taken apart in 1884. The bricks from the old school were reused to build the new bell tower! A parish hall, which is a building for church activities, was built in 1904 and made bigger in 1950.
The St. James Academy, a school, was started again in 1957. It had a big renovation between 1994 and 1999. The school property is quite large, about 89 acres. It includes playing fields and a parking lot.
The church was officially recognized as a historic place in 1974. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Notable burials
- Charles B. Bosley (died 1959), a lawyer and state representative from Maryland.
See also
- List of post 1692 Anglican parishes in the Province of Maryland
Images for kids
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St. James Episcopal Church, Monkton, Maryland
