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The Three Prominent 7th District Churches
All Saints Episcopal Church
Holy Angels Catholic Church
Holy Angels Catholic Church
All Saints Church is an Episcopal Church in the diocese of Washington, D.C. All Saints was established in 1642 by Sir Thomas Gerard, a Roman Catholic, for his Anglican wife as a “Chapel of Ease” by the wisdom and Grace of the first Catholic settlers who fostered tolerance and love of others and religious freedom for all as we now see on the local highway signs that All Saints no longer extols and exemplifies. The first Church was built on the site in 1750 and called Tomakoken Church after the nearby creek. In 1823, the Church became known as All Saints’ Church of King and Queen Parish now Oakley Parish. The present church building was constructed in 1846. “A more peaceful spot would be difficult to find than the little church and cemetery,” wrote Robert E. T. Pogue, in his book “Old Maryland Landmarks” - how very true - and therein the All Saints Cemetery lies Robert and other family members resting in peace.
The chapel that was in catastrophic physical disrepair is now fully restored and physically functional and again conducting services, such as the are without a full-time ministering ordained Priest.
However, the congregation is not restored and functional where it survives with under a dozen parishioners some of whom in leadership positions but irregularly attend church services are unchristian in self-aggrandized haughty and hurtful demeanor and behavior towards congregants. All Saints has an uncertain future imperiled by this unchristian behavior of a few remaining hardhearted parishioners in leadership positions resulting in discord and disharmony. Most long-standing All Saints members have left All Saints for Christ Church Episcopal and elsewhere.
Consequently, All Saints struggles to attract and retain new members where its unsavory leadership continues to offend and repel new members such as the last Treasurer, they wrongly accused of the theft of Church funds as they did with the previous two Treasurers (despite the fact all three personally paid for and used QuickBooks) who they offended and ostracised. All three have since removed themselves from their previous active participation with All Saints.
The Holy Eucharist is celebrated on select Sundays
95-year-old Father Harry Harper has well served as Rector of All Saints but has since retired as Rector escaping the Parish disharmony brought about by dishonorable Parish leadership wronging him disrespecting his long and faithful service to All Saints and the Episcopal Church.
All Sants now is led by Mick Blackistone as Senior Warden although he lives far outside of the area and irregularly attends church services. The Episcopal Diocese has since named retired ordained priest Greg Syler as Priest-in-Charge, although he does not regularly attend and conduct church services as he also lives far outside of the area. Instead, deacon Laura Carpenter, who is not an ordained priest and cannot consecrate the wine offering. conducts church services a few times a month, but as does not Greg Syler, she does not act as a priest to counsel or console congregants.
Oakley Road, Avenue
Holy Angels Catholic Church
Holy Angels Catholic Church
Holy Angels Catholic Church
Though only officially established as a parish in 1906, the Holy Angels Parish encompasses contains the beginnings of Catholicism in Maryland. St. Clément’s Island, not too far from the Parish church, was the site of the first Catholic Mass in the English-speaking colonies which the Jesuit priest, Fr. Andrew White, celebrated when the Arc and the Dove first landed in Maryland on March 25, 1634.
The Parish welcomes those interested in devoting themselves “to the apostles’ teaching and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers” (Acts 2:42) like the first Christian community 2000 years ago.
The current Pastor of Holy Angels Parish is Father Sam Plummer. Weekend Mass is celebrated at 4:30pm on Saturday and 10:30am on Sunday. The famous Parish dinners are offered on the last Sunday of March and the Sunday after Labor Day in September.
1340 Colton Point Road, Avenue
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Holy Angels Catholic Church
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
According to Archdiocesan records, a Catholic chapel was built on Bushwood Manor in 1755, about 50 yards from the present Sacred Heart church. This chapel with 2 acres of land was donated to the Catholic Church in 1773 becoming Sacred Heart Parish, making it the first church dedicated to the Sacred Heart in the United States.
The Parish welcomes those interested in devoting themselves” to the apostles’teaching and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers” (Acts
2:42) like the first Christian community 2000 years ago.
The current Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish is Father Sam Plummer. Sunday Mass is celebrated at 6:30am and 8:00am. The famous Parish dinners are offered on the 4th Sunday of June and October.
23080 Maddox Road, Bushwood
Rev. Harry Harper
Mother of Light Shrine
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Rev. Harry Harper the Retired fine former Priest of All Saints
Father Sam Plummer
Mother of Light Shrine
Mother of Light Shrine
Father Sam Plummer Pastor of Holy Angels & Sacred Heart
Mother of Light Shrine
Mother of Light Shrine
Mother of Light Shrine
Overlooking historic St. Clément’s Island next to the St. Clément’s Island Museum at the home of Mike & Millie Huseman, the Shrine's most gracious host, this Mother of Light Shrine is a beautiful life-size replica of the Miraculous Medal formerly known as the Medal of the Immaculate Conception. A Jesuit priest, Father Andrew White, S.J., arrived here in 1634 to begin his mission of evangelization on the mainland. This Shrine was erected here as a special invitation to individuals and groups to visit this holy ground to pray. www.motheroflightshrine.com
Historic Churches & Religious Sites in St. Mary's County
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Historic Churches and Religious Sites in St. Mary's County Front Cover
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Historic Churches and Religious Sites in St. Mary's County Interior Page
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A Historic Churches and Religious Sites in St. Mary's County Interior Page
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PDF of Brochure
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Historic Churches and Religious Sites in St. Mary's County Rear Cover
Church of Note
PDF of Brochure
PDF of Brochure
All Saints Episcopal Church is the Only Official Historic Church in the 7th District
PDF of Brochure
PDF of Brochure
PDF of Brochure
Saving & Restoring All Saints Episcopal Church
All Saints in Disrepair
Saving this Magnificent Church and its Stained Glass Windows is a Must
Saving this Magnificent Church and its Stained Glass Windows is a Must
In 1642, Sir Thomas Gerard, a Roman Catholic, created the first All Saints for his Anglican wife as a “Chapel of Ease” that she may have a place of worship. Soon thereafter came the establishment of what now is Oakley Parish of the Episcopal Church, Washington Diocese, and the later construction of All Saints Church.
Saving this Magnificent Church and its Stained Glass Windows is a Must
Saving this Magnificent Church and its Stained Glass Windows is a Must
Saving this Magnificent Church and its Stained Glass Windows is a Must
All Saints is a testament to the principles of religious tolerance and religious freedom practiced by the predominantly Catholic community. Saving and restoring this historic religious landmark is a way of honoring and preserving these religious principles established by the wisdom and grace of our Catholic forebears for future generations
Damaged Walls
Saving this Magnificent Church and its Stained Glass Windows is a Must
Walls Under Repair
The 7th District community cherishes All Saints Church. Many of the stained glass windows in the current Church, some over 150 years old, were given in honor of well-known families of St. Mary’s County. The cemetery is truly ecumenical providing a final resting place for those of both Catholic and protestant denominations.
Walls Under Repair
Installation of New Flooring
Walls Under Repair
All Saints is blessed with the able restoration assistance of Don Cropp of Colony Buildings who restored the Blackistone Lighthouse. All Saints also is in need of financial assistance as it moves forward in the efforts to save and restore this beautiful church and welcomes all contributions.
Installation of New Flooring
Installation of New Flooring
Installation of New Flooring
All Saints would be pleased to provide more information about the plans and discuss several unique opportunities to recognize donors as it proceed with its restoration efforts.
Shoring Up the Foundation
Installation of New Flooring
Installation of New Flooring
Please direct your contributions and/or requests for further information to:
Bruce Blackistone, Fundraising Chairman
All Saints Episcopal Church
38825 Burch Road, Avenue, Maryland 20609
All Saints Church Oakley Hall Rentals
All Saints Oakley Hall Event Rental
All Saints Oakley Hall Event Rental
All Saints Oakley Hall Event Rental
The All Saints Church Oakley Hall is the premier hall rental venue in the 7th District for weddings, events, & parties
All Saints Oakley Hall Party Rental
All Saints Oakley Hall Event Rental
All Saints Oakley Hall Event Rental
Oakley Hall is a large full-service large venue w/fully equipped kitchen, restrooms, and tables & chairs suitable for over 100 people
All Saints Oakley Hall
All Saints Oakley Hall Event Rental
All Saints Oakley Hall Front View
Oakley Hall Address on Oakley Road
All Saints Oakley Hall Front View
Blessing of the Fleet Poster for Sale
All Saints Oakley Hall Front View
Oakley Hall Front View
For Oakley Hall rental information contact Nancy Zearfoss at 301-769-3125 or email Dr. Zearfoss at nzearfoss@gmail.com
All Saints Oakley Hall Rear View
Blessing of the Fleet Poster for Sale
Blessing of the Fleet Poster for Sale
The rear of Oakley Hall with parking area w/new parking lot for scores of vehicles and ADA accessible ramp into the building
Blessing of the Fleet Poster for Sale
Blessing of the Fleet Poster for Sale
Blessing of the Fleet Poster for Sale
51s Blessing of the Fleet 11x17 poster, numbered & signed by artist daughter Elizabeth, for sale at $20ea donating half the proceeds to the All Saints Church Restoration Fund
Illustration © 2018 by Elizabeth Lord
All rights reserved