The History of Christ Church

Compiled by

Mary Reeder Tiller

In the year 1692, shortly after the beginning of the joint rule of William and Mary of England, Lionel Copely, who had been appointed governor of Maryland, directed the Maryland Assembly to pass the Establishment Act. By this Act thirty parishes were created, and William and Mary Parish was one of them. This was not, however, the beginning of the history of this church. The 1694 report to the Assembly stated that a church was already in existence, known originally as the Piccowaxen Church. Its boundaries are given in the ancient land records of Charles County

Dr. Ethan Allen states that in 1692 the Reverend Mr. Moore was rector and the 1696 religious census showed that William and Mary and Port Tobacco parishes had a combine total of 250 "tithables" and an income of 10,320 pounds of tobacco. The incumbent minister for both parishes was the Rev. George Tubman.

We have little information from this period until 1750. At this time the Maryland Assembly voted funds to enlarge and repair the church under the direction of its rector, The Rev. Samuel Clagett. Forty years later this name was to make ecclesiastical history when his son, Thomas John Clagett became the first bishop of Maryland. A wood carving of the consecration of Bishop Clagett may be seen on the Bishop's Stall in the Washington Cathedral.

One of the most prized possessions of the church was also acquired at about this time. The silver Queen Anne chalice and paten were brought from England. The chalice is now used only twice a year, Easter and Christmas Services. The hallmarks on the silver reveal that the maker was William Fowdery, Goldsmith Street, London, and the date shown in court script, is 1700 The hallmark, a seated figure of Britannia, was used from 1697 to 1720.

The baptismal font is also of particular interest. It was the mortar used by Dr. Parnham during the 1700s in the preparation of his medicines. The mortar was a gift from Mrs. Eleanor Edelen, a descendant of Dr. Parnham, and a communicant of the church whose name appears in the 1836 records.

Here again records are sketchy. Some were burned and others lost during the War between the States. However, in the vestry minutes of 1864 it was voted to suspend services "because of destruction of windows and other acts of violence" until repairs could be made. The church had been used to quarter Union soldiers and also a stable for their mounts. Not until August 2, 1869 was a contract signed to repair the church. This was done by a Mr. Horn, under the direction of the rector, The Rev. John Todd. Church services were held during this period at "Mt. Republic," the estate which lies on Rout 257 about one mile from the church in the direction of Route 301

The Rev. John Todd, the rector previously mentioned, must have come close to setting a record for time and devotion to a single flock. His pastorate began in 1843 and ended in 1893 after 50 years in continuous service to Christ Church. The vases on the altar are a memorial to him.

The church contains many other memorials with equally colorful histories. As one enters the small arched door on the right, a bronze wall plaque may be seen. This is a memorial to the family of the Rev. Neale Hamill Shaw, one of the early 19th century rectors whose family home was "Black Friars," an estate near Mt. Victoria. The stained glass windows, lectern, brasses, cross and prayer desk were all given as memorials by members of the parish.

Conforming to the architecture of the period, the wrought iron gates, wall and brick walks are a more recently presented memorial. The stones in the churchyard follow the pattern of antiquity characteristic of Christ Church, William and Mary Parish, dating back to the early 1800.

The Record Book containing the Vestry Minutes has been in continuous use since 1864.

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