Trinity Episcopal Church:  In the Heart of St. Mary’s City

With the Charter of 1633 promoting unity of spirit in hand from the King of England, the mixed religious factions in the Colony of Maryland shared a chapel for worship. In 1638, however, the first Trinity Church, then part of the Church of England, was built on Trinity (Smith) Creek. It later moved to St. Mary’s City, and in 1789, the congregation became a New Protestant Episcopal Church of the USA.

The Reverend John Ball, rector, says, “Unfortunately, the little chapel didn’t withstand the wear and tear of time, and is no longer standing. The congregation used the state house from 1695 until 1829. Finally, the congregation disassembled the old state house, saved the bricks and built a new church. In 1889, that building was completely remodeled from the windows up, leaving the bell tower, and changed from Georgian to Gothic style. Another major renovation occurred in the 1930s with respect to the church’s historic relevance; a flagstone floor, limestone altar and slate roof were added. Two prominent members of the national committee were former Governor of Maryland Albert Ritchie and the Dean of the National Cathedral. The limestone altar was made out of the same stones as that in the National Cathedral, and the wrought iron gate in the church yard was made by the same blacksmith that created the iron work at the cathedral.”

In 1983, a Rieger tracker pipe organ was added, and it is still in use in the church. One of the few real pipe organs in Southern Maryland, it employs a mechanical linkage connecting the organ’s keys and pedals to the valves that allow airflow into the pipes. According to part-time organist Barbara Svenson, the pipe organ is the “perfect instrument for the size and acoustical qualities found in this church.” This year’s Advent musical choices will be “O Come O Come Emmanuel,” “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silent,” and “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus.”
Father Ball adds, “Trinity Church, St. Mary’s Parish, is an historic church, but we are a living, vibrant congregation. We are actively involved in the life of historic St. Mary’s City. Parishioners work together to reach out and welcome people into our church family.”

Richard Abell, whose family has attended Trinity Church for generations, says what he really likes about the church are all the “community-related volunteer groups the church sponsors.” They support many local charities, such as HOPE and Three Oaks Shelter, collect school supplies, and organize fundraisers for hurricane and earthquake victims. Abell’s great-aunt, Daisy Abell, was a senior warden in the church, and now Richard is a junior verger. Even though the church is steeped in family tradition, he says, “it is a very warm and comfortable place to worship, and we’d like new families to come in. Everybody came here from somewhere else at one point.”

There will be a Christmas Eve service at 5 p.m., and a 10:30 p.m candlelight service that will feature special music, choir accompaniment and Holy Communion. Father Ball explains, “All people are welcome here and receive Holy Communion in our church.”

Trinity Church, located next to the Old State House on Church Point in St. Mary’s City, gives you a sense of the lives of those who settled in the area hundreds of years ago. It also gives you a sense of community and draws you in to become a part of that community, one step of faith at a time.  ✦

Trinity Church, 47477 Trinity Church­­ Rd., St. Mary’s City. 301-862-4597; www.olg.com/trinitysmcmd/.