Coltons Point in St. Mary's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
"With a laudable and pious zeal for the propagation of the Christian faith"
Catholic leaders were determine to practice their religion as the planted their new Maryland Colony. They had left an England that was persecuting Catholics and a Europe racked by bloody religious wars.
Lord Baltimore, Cecil Calvert, instructed Catholic settlers to "treate the Protestants with as much mildness and favor as Justice will permitt." By 1649, the Maryland General Assembly made this policy official. The "Act Concerning Religion" declared that "no person or persons...professing beleeve in Jesus Christ...shall [be in] any waies troubled, molested or discountenance...in respect of his or her Religion." Seventeenth-century Maryland was a leader on the road to religious toleration.
[image of 1634 colonists on St. Clement's Island] "In this place on our b[lessed] ladies day in lent, we first offered [the sacrifice of the mass], erected a crosse, and with devotion took solemne possession of the Country." - Jesuit missionary and Maryland settler Father Andrew White, 1634.
A Homemade Symbol of Religious Toleration
In 1934, people gathered here on Maryland's 300th birthday to remember the first settlers and their quest for religious toleration. A 40-foot cross, pictured here from the island's lighthouse tower during the ceremonies, has been a landmark ever since. It was a home-grown monument, constructed during the Great Depression from 50-gallon oil barrels filled with cement and a plywood frame covered with stucco.
[photo of 1634 ceremonies]
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1807.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 12.504′ N, 76° 44.663′ W. Marker was in Coltons Point, Maryland, in St. Mary's County. Marker could be reached from Point Breeze Road, 0.2 miles east of Colton Point Road (Maryland Route 242). Marker is on St. Clements Island which is only accessibly by boat. A ferry operates on weekends from the St. Clement's Island Museum on Point Breeze Road. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Coltons Point MD 20626, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. Freedom to Worship (here, next to this marker); St. Clement's Island (a few steps from this marker); Ancestral Garden (a few steps from this marker); Trade Expands (within shouting distance of this marker); Blackistone Lighthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Blackistone Lighthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Blackistone Lighthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Blackistone Lighthouse Bell Tower (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Coltons Point.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has replaced the linked marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 27, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 7, 2009, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 795 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 7, 2009, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland.