Christ Church Glebe Farm

Christ Church Glebe Farm. Walking the Kent Island Railroad. , In 1631, William Claiborne settled the southern tip of Kent Island. The first Christian congregation in Maryland began there a year later at Kent Fort. In 1652, they moved north to Broad Creek, forming the island's first town. The church needed a minister and the land you're standing on changed that.

In 1665, this property known as "Little Ease," possibly served as the island's first jail, named after the "Chamber of Little Ease" in the Tower of London. In 1692, the island became a parish (a local church community). They started searching for a glebe: a place for a minister to live that could also support the church.

In 1718, the Christ Church Parish purchased half of "Little Ease," which included two houses, establishing the "Glebe Farm." They paid 12,000 pounds of tobacco. At last, in 1721, a minister arrived, and they built his parish house here three years later.

However, challenges emerged: a fire destroyed the parish house in 1729, and during the American Revolution, in 1778, the church lost its minister again. By 1802, the glebe remained empty, prompting the congregation to lease the land.

In 1820, the church at Broad Creek was in poor condition, and the glebe only produced $60 per year. The collapse of the church during renovations in 1825 led to the sale of the "Glebe Farm" for $1,000 a year later. It had been the home of at least 14 ministers.

In 1880, the congregation moved north again, building their church in the new town of Stevensville. Today, this land is called the "Lillian Tanner Farm," and the 400-year-old Christ Church Parish gathers at their newest Romancoke Road location. It's incredible to look at these quiet fields and imagine all the stories they hold.

(Captions):

Glebe Farm House
Looking south east (1978)

Glebe Farm Buildings
Metal roofing over cedar shingles (1978)

Glebe Farm House
Earlier chimney showing (1978)