Bromo Arts District in Baltimore, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
St. Mary's Seminary Chapel
In 1791, at the invitation of Bishop John Carroll, the first bishop in the United States, Sulpician priests came to Baltimore from France to found St. Mary's Seminary, the nation's oldest Catholic seminary. After establishing the seminary in a former tavern on this site, the Sulpician Fathers felt the need to build a suitable place of worship.
The first significant church in this country to be built in the neo-Gothic style, the Chapel of the Seminary was designed by the French émigré Maximilian Godefroy (1765-c. 1849) and completed in 1808. In the early 19th century, the chapel's crypt served as the parish church for the Catholic residents of this area, including many Haitian refugees.
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (1774-1821), the first native-born American to be declared a saint, took her vows in St. Mary's Seminary Chapel on March 25, 1809, and the site was also closely associated with two other heroic women: Mother Mary Elizabeth Lange (c. 1784-1882), foundress of the Oblate Sisters of Providence, the first religious community of African American women in the United States; and Mother Theresa Maxis Duchemin (1810-1892) foundress of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
St. Mary's Seminary and University is now located in the Roland Park section of Baltimore, but the original chapel
this page online
Baltimore City Landmark
National Historic Landmark
Erected by City of Baltimore, Maryland -- Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Mayor.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Immigration • Landmarks • Settlements & Settlers • Women. In addition, it is included in the Maryland, Baltimore City historical markers, and the National Historic Landmarks series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is March 25, 1809.
Location. 39° 17.765′ N, 76° 37.373′ W. Marker is in Baltimore, Maryland. It is in the Bromo Arts District. Marker is on North Paca Street (Maryland Route 129), on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 607 N Paca St, Baltimore MD 21201, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. How did this park get its name? (a few steps from this marker); St. Mary's Historic Site (a few steps from this marker); Sons of St. Mary's: Called to Serve, Educated to Lead (within shouting distance of this marker); Mother Seton House (within shouting distance of this marker); 619 North Paca Street (within
Photographed By Christopher Busta-Peck, April 17, 2008
3. St. Mary's Seminary Chapel
Photographed By Christopher Busta-Peck, April 17, 2008
4. National Historic Landmark plaque for the chapel
Credits. This page was last revised on April 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 2, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 55 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 2, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3, 4. submitted on April 17, 2008, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio.
