St. Thomas' Episcopal Parish Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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St. Thomas' Episcopal Parish Historic District
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Saint Thomas Episcopal Church, August 2014
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 Location in Maryland
Location in the United States
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| Location | From east side of Croom Rd. along north & south sides of St. Thomas Church Rd., eastward for about 1500 ft., near Upper Marlboro, Maryland |
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| Area | 43.77 acres (17.71 ha) |
| Built | 1742 |
| Built by | Page, Daniel; Tayman, Harry P.; Armstrong, H. and J. |
| Architect | Priest, John W; Grigg, Milton |
| Architectural style | Georgian, Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 11000963 |
| Added to NRHP | December 30, 2011 |
The St. Thomas' Episcopal Parish Historic District is a special area in Croom, Maryland, located in Prince George's County, Maryland. It's called a "historic district" because it contains several old buildings and sites that are important to history. This district includes four main buildings and three important sites connected to St. Thomas' Church.
The buildings you can find here are the beautiful St. Thomas' Church itself, which was built in 1742. There's also the St. Thomas' Church Rectory, built between 1852 and 1853 in the Gothic Revival style. Other buildings include a Tenant/Sexton's House from around 1890 and a tobacco barn from about 1905.
The important sites are the St. Thomas' Episcopal Church Cemetery, where people have been buried for many years. There's also the site of St. Simon's Mission Chapel and St. Simon's Cemetery. These places tell a story about the community's past.
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Exploring St. Thomas' Historic District
A historic district is like a special neighborhood or area that has been officially recognized for its important history. The St. Thomas' Episcopal Parish Historic District is a great example of this. It helps us understand what life was like in Croom, Maryland, many years ago. This district covers about 43.77 acres, which is a pretty large area!
Important Buildings and Sites
The district is made up of several key parts that show its history.
- St. Thomas' Church: This is the oldest building, constructed in 1742. It has been a central part of the community for centuries.
- St. Thomas' Church Rectory: Built in the 1850s, this building shows the Gothic Revival style, which was popular at the time.
- Tenant/Sexton's House: This house, from around 1890, was likely home to people who worked for the church.
- Tobacco Barn: From about 1905, this barn reminds us of the area's farming history, especially growing tobacco.
The three important sites are:
- St. Thomas' Episcopal Church Cemetery: This is where many people from the church community are buried, showing generations of local history.
- St. Simon's Mission Chapel Site: This is where a special chapel once stood.
- St. Simon's Cemetery: Another cemetery connected to the St. Simon's Mission.
The Story of St. Simon's Mission
In the late 1800s, African-American members of St. Thomas' Church created St. Simon's Mission Chapel. This mission was an important place for their community. It was located on land connected to the Croome Industrial and Agricultural School, also known as the Croom Settlement School. This school helped educate people from about 1902 to 1952. The mission and school played a big role in the lives of many people in the area.
Why is it Historic?
The St. Thomas' Episcopal Parish Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places on December 30, 2011. The National Register of Historic Places is a list of places across the United States that are considered important to the country's history. Being on this list means the district is recognized for its special historical value and is protected. It helps make sure these important places are preserved for future generations to learn from and enjoy.
External links
- St. Thomas' Episcopal Parish Historic District, Prince George's County, Inventory No.: PG:86A-59, including undated photo and boundary map, at Maryland Historical Trust website
- St. Thomas Parish, Diocese of Washington
