Near Thurmont in Frederick County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Harriet Chapel

Circa 1828

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, October 18, 2021

1. Harriet Chapel Marker

Inscription.
A picturesque fieldstone chapel built as a memorial to Harriet McPherson Brien, wife of John Brien, owner of Catoctin Iron Furnace. Harriet Chapel would become a place of worship for members of the Episcopal Church in 1833. Most church services were attended by the local iron-making community who worked at the furnace including those of German, Irish, and African-American heritages.

Among the notable guests who have worshipped at Harriet Chapel are former Presidents Lyndon B. Johnson, Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter while staying nearby at Camp David, the President of the United States' country residence.

Today, Harriet Chapel is an active Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Maryland.

Dedicated this 22 day of October 2017 Frederick Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution

Erected 2017 by Frederick Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), the Former U.S. Presidents: #36 Lyndon B. Johnson, the Former U.S. Presidents: #38 Gerald R. Ford, Jr.,

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and the Former U.S. Presidents: #39 James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is October 2017.

Location. 39° 34.799′ N, 77° 26.004′ W. Marker is near Thurmont, Maryland, in Frederick County. It can be reached from Catoctin Furnace Road (Maryland Route 806) north of Catoctin Hollow Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 12625 Catoctin Furnace Rd, Thurmont MD 21788, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area

and in Central Maryland.

It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Resources: Use—Reuse—Recycle (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); A Diverse and Skilled Workforce (about 400 feet away); The Watchful Eye (about 400 feet away); Secondary Industries and the Mill Pond (about 500 feet away);

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, October 18, 2021

2. Harriet Chapel Marker

Catoctin Furnace African American Cemetery Interpretive Trail (about 500 feet away); Dirty and Dangerous (about 500 feet away); Catoctin Iron Furnace (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Catoctin Iron Furnace (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Thurmont.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, October 18, 2021

3. Cornerstone

Christ Jesus is our Cornerstone - Eph. 2:20
Harriet Chapel
Built 1828
Consecrated 1833

Harriet Chapel image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, October 18, 2021

4. Harriet Chapel

Frederick County Landmarks Foundation No. 207.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, October 18, 2021

5. Harriet Chapel

Photographed by Adam Margolis, September 20, 2025

6. Harriet Chapel Marker

Photographed by Adam Margolis, September 20, 2025

7. Harriet Chapel Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 19, 2021, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 624 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 19, 2021, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 6, 7. submitted on May 12, 2026, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.