St. Thomas' Church (Upper Marlboro, Maryland) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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St. Thomas' Church
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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St. Thomas' Church - Front View, December 2008
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 Location in Maryland
Location in the United States
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| Location | 14300 St. Thomas Church Rd., near Upper Marlboro, Maryland |
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| Area | 18.8 acres (7.6 ha) |
| Built | 1742 |
| Built by | Page, Daniel |
| Architectural style | Georgian, Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 00001504 |
| Added to NRHP | December 13, 2000 |
St. Thomas' Church is an old Episcopal church located in a quiet, countryside area near Croom, in Prince George's County, Maryland. It is one of four churches that make up the St. Thomas parish. The other churches are the Church of the Atonement in Cheltenham, the Chapel of the Incarnation in Brandywine, and St. Simon's Mission, also in Croom.
The first church building was constructed between 1742 and 1745. It is one of the oldest Episcopal churches in Southern Maryland. The church, its nearby cemetery, and St. Simon's Mission are all part of the St. Thomas' Episcopal Parish Historic District. This district is a special area recognized for its history.
Contents
History of St. Thomas' Church
Building the Original Church
The church was finished on December 25, 1745. People sometimes called it "Page's Chapel." This was because Daniel Page, the landowner, was hired to build it.
Changes and Additions Over Time
In 1850, St. Thomas' became its own parish. A parish is a church community with its own leader. The church then got a new look. It was updated in the Gothic Revival style. This style brings back ideas from old Gothic buildings. An architect named John W. Priest from New York City led these changes.
In 1888, a bell tower was added to the front of the church. This tower was built to honor Bishop Thomas John Claggett. He was the first Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States.
Recent Restoration Work
In 1954, the church was restored. This means it was repaired and brought back to its original look. The work followed the plans from when the church was first built in the 1740s. However, the Gothic Revival additions by Priest were kept.
The Church Cemetery
The church is surrounded by a cemetery. Many important people and old families from the county are buried there. A fence and special cast iron gates were put up in 1907. These gates have Gothic designs.
Important People Connected to the Church
One of the first people who helped start and support St. Thomas' Church was Benedict Swingate Calvert (1730-1788). He was a Maryland Loyalist during the American Revolution. This means he supported the British king during the war.
Benedict Calvert was the son of Charles Calvert, 5th Baron Baltimore. Charles was a governor of Maryland. Benedict might have even been the grandson of King George I of Great Britain. His mother's name is not known. Because he was born outside of marriage, he could not inherit his father's title or lands. These went to his half-brother, Frederick Calvert, 6th Baron Baltimore.
Benedict Calvert spent most of his life in Maryland. He was a politician and a planter, which means he owned a large farm. He became very wealthy. He was an important official in the colony. However, he lost his political jobs during the American Revolution. He kept his land and wealth, though. He is buried under the main part of the church. His wife, Elizabeth Calvert, and daughter, Eleanor Calvert, are also buried there.
National Recognition
St. Thomas' Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2000. This list includes important historical places in the United States.
Gallery
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St. Thomas' Church - Side View, December 2008
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St. Thomas' Church - Claggett Memorial, December 2008
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St. Thomas' Church - Historic Marker, December 2008
