Rockville in Montgomery County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Saint Marys Church
Lost Rockville - 1801 to 1850
Photographed by Tom Fuchs, January 7, 2006
1. Saint Mary's Church Marker
St. Marys Church, built in 1817, is the oldest church still in use in Rockville. Rockville was chosen for the church location for its relatively large concentration of Catholics, it central location, and its prominence as the County seat. St. Mary's became the church from which other upcounty mission churches sprang.
Father James Redmond established an eight-member congregation here in 1816. A member of the congregation sold four acres of land to the church for $300. Parishioners helped construct the Georgian-style building, which was the first brick Catholic Church in the County. The bricks arches were hand-rubbed to create a contrasting color and texture to the brick walls. The main building was 53 feet long by 36 feet wide. A 15-foot square extension at the rear included a small sacristy and the pastor's living quarters. Father Redmond offered the first Mass in St. Mary's Church on December 14, 1817.
Although the church has been remodeled and enlarged several times, most of the original church remains today and seats approximately 150. In the 1960s, a new church was built next to it, and a demolition permit was issued for the old church in 1966. It was saved at the last moment by parishioners and concerned citizens. The American writer, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and his wife Zelda, and members of his family
this page online
Erected 2001 by City of Rockville, Maryland, and The Rockville Historic District Commission.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Maryland, Lost Rockville – 1801 to 1850 series list. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1817.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 39° 4.927′ N, 77° 8.746′ W. Marker was in Rockville, Maryland, in Montgomery County. It was at the intersection of Viers Mill Road (Maryland Route 28) and Rockville Pike ( Route 355), on the right when traveling west on Viers Mill Road. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 8 Baltimore Rd, Rockville MD 20850, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker was in the Washington Metropolitan Area. It was also in the American Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies and also the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Saint Mary's Catholic Church (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Saint Mary's Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Rockville Station (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mr. John Diggs-Dorsey (approx. 0.3 miles away); Mr. Sidney Randolph
Photographed by Tom Fuchs, January 7, 2006
2. Saint Mary's Church Marker
More about this marker. One of the "Lost Rockville 1801 to 1850" series of markers.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has been replaced with the linked marker.
Also see . . .
1. Historic Rockville Walking Tour. (Submitted on January 10, 2006.)
2. F. Scott Fitzgerald's Gravesite. (Submitted on January 10, 2006.)
Photographed by Tom Fuchs, January 21, 2006
3. St. Mary's Church
Photographed by Tom Fuchs, January 14, 2006
4. St. Mary's Church at Dusk
The modern spire on the left is the spire of the new church, hidden behind the original church in this photograph.
Photographed by Tom Fuchs, January 7, 2006
5. F. Scott Fitzgerald's Gravesite
Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald, September 24, 1896 – September 21, 1940, His Wife Zelda Sayre, July 24, 1900 – March 10, 1948.
Their only child, Frances Scott "Scottie" Fitzgerald Smith, is buried at the foot of their grave. That headstone is visible in this photograph.
Photographed by Tom Fuchs, January 7, 2006
6. F. Scott Fitzgerald's and His Wife Zelda's Gravestones
“So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.” — The Great Gatsby.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 6, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 10, 2006, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. This page has been viewed 3,744 times since then and 75 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 10, 2006, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. 3. submitted on January 24, 2006, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. 4. submitted on January 18, 2006, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. 5, 6. submitted on January 10, 2006, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.
