St. Mary's City, Maryland is one of the most interesting and beautiful places in America. In 1633, it was the home of a Piscatawy Indian village and year later, it was the home of the first permanent settlement in the colony of Maryland. The colonists purchased the land from the natives who were already planning on relocating due to recent incursions by more aggressive tribe belonging to the Susquehannocks in the north. A rare example of a win-win in early colonial history. Today the area is made up primarily of two entities: An every expanding living history museum made up authentically reconstructed structures and artifacts and the most beautiful of public honors Colleges, St. Mary's College, in the nation. And then there is also this Episcopal Church!
The church has been around for a very long time and predates all the interest in and reconstruction around the Historic St. Mary's City buildings. This is important only in that the original State House was built in the middle of what today is the parish cemetery.
In side the humble structure is a humble church.
...with some amazing stained-glass.
My favorite window is this one that shows the Sts. Peter and Andrew with their dog, Romeo!
During this visit, I noticed this new raised garden in the open lawn in front of the church. Upon inquiry, my friend was too happy to share it with me.
It is there new columbarium! Wow. So wonderful.
One of the first inhabitants was a retire priest who sometimes served at the parish in a pinch. Father Charles Demeré and his wife Margaret.
Any columbarium approved for sun bathing by such a beautiful little skink is okay in my book!
The cemetery is not only full...there are as many graves whose markers have been lost in the past 400 years as those still standing... And also there are historical markers and monuments.
This one commemorates the site of the original state house completed in 1676
This one near the little precipice overlooking the estuary commemorates the two little ships that brought the settlers. The Ark and the Dove. The Ark was designed for the passengers and the much smaller dove tagged along madden with supplies. Not to mislead, the Ark was no larger than the much acclaimed Mayflower of the pilgrims.
The views across the little estuary are always stunning.
Look to the right and you see the beautifully groomed lawn of an estate that could as well have been an early 19th century slave-holding plantation.
Looked to the left and you are thrown back 150 years to a little dock and a replica of the Dove...
No comments:
Post a Comment