St. Mary's City in St. Mary's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The St. Mary’s Chapel
Maryland’s First Brick Church
By Don Morfe, May 15, 1999
1. The St. Mary’s Chapel Marker
The St. Mary’s Chapel, built about 1667, was Maryland’s first major brick building. The structure was built in the form of a cross, 55 feet long and 57 feet wide at the arms of the cross. In frontier Maryland, where most settlers lived in humble wood cottages, this was a remarkable building. All that remains of the chapel is its massive brick foundation, measuring three feet wide and five feet deep.
There are hundreds of unmarked graves in and around the chapel. This site was cemetery for St. Mary’s City the earliest years of settlement. Many of Maryland’s founders lie here in long-forgotten graves. In 1990, three lead coffins were discovered buried in the left arm or transept of the cross-shaped building. These are the first 17th-century lead coffins found by archaeologist in North America.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Churches & Religion • Colonial Era. A significant historical year for this entry is 1667.
Location. 38° 11.234′ N, 76° 26.078′ W. Marker is in St. Mary's City, Maryland, in St. Mary's County. Marker is on Trinity
By Don Morfe, May 15, 1999
2. The St. Mary’s Chapel Marker
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Sharing Land and Legacy (a few steps from this marker); Saint Mary's Female Seminary (within shouting distance of this marker); After the Disastrous Fire (within shouting distance of this marker); “…a convenient place for the administration of Justice.” (within shouting distance of this marker); The Gift of the Society of the Ark and the Dove (within shouting distance of this marker); Trinity Church, St. Mary’s Parish (within shouting distance of this marker); Leonard Calvert (within shouting distance of this marker); Entrance to First State House of Maryland (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Mary's City.
By Don Morfe, May 15, 1999
3. Sign at the entrance to St Mary's City
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on April 29, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 200 times since then and 4 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 29, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
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