Seton Hill in Baltimore, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
How did this park get its name?
St. Mary's Park
— Dedicated 1977 —
Original Site of St. Mary's Seminary & University (established 1791)
First Roman Catholic Seminary founded in the United States
Until 1969 this site was home to the country's first Roman Catholic seminary, St. Mary's Seminary & University (est. 1791). Founded by the French Suplician Fathers to train men for the priesthood, this site was also home to a men's college, St. Mary's College (1799-1852), and a parish that served the needs of the area — then known as the French Quarter — which had a special ministry of the Haitian refugee community.
In 1794 a section of the campus was given to Baltimore City and developed into a passive, open space park for the Seton Hill Historic District. St. Mary's Park was dedicated on September 10, 1977, by Mayor William Donald Schaefer who stated: "It is a park where people can come to reflect on the history of our country and our city."
Today, St. Mary's Seminary & University is located in the Roland Park neighborhood of the city.
The sons of Saint Mary's Seminary, thousands of them, have gone forth to the North and to the South, to the East and to the West, preaching Christ's Gospel.... What would America have done without the Sulpician Fathers and Saint Mary's Seminary?
Archbishop Michael J.Curley of Baltimore, 1925
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[Caption:]
Photograph of the seminary building that stood on this property 1878-1975. On the left is the Mother Seton House, which remains open to visitors today.
Erected by U.S. Province of the Society of St. Sulpice.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Education • Immigration • Parks & Recreational Areas • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is September 10, 1977.
Location. 39° 17.769′ N, 76° 37.382′ W. Marker is in Baltimore, Maryland. It is in Seton Hill. Marker is on North Paca Street (Maryland Route 129) south of Druid Hill Avenue, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 600 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. St. Mary's Seminary Chapel (a few steps from this marker); Sons of St. Mary's: Called to Serve, Educated to Lead (a few steps from this marker); St. Mary's Historic Site (within shouting distance of this marker); Holy Women of Paca Street (within shouting distance of this marker); Mother Seton House (within shouting distance of this marker); 621 North Paca Street
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 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 2, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
