A Brief History: St. Paul’s was established as a Chapel of Ease to Old Brick Church, Queen Caroline Parish in Ellicott City – 1751. At some time between 1751 and 1810, another building was erected in the area and used for several years. It was abandoned by the church and then used as a tobacco barn until approximately 1810. No known traces of the building now exist. There is a portion of land in this area where vegetation is sparse; it is possible that this is the result of numerous applications of white wash to the structure, and may indicate the location of this building. The first church in the neighboring community of Mt. Airy, St. James, was built in 1861; it was noted that some slave labor was used. Zion Church, Urbana, which is another neighboring community, was established in 1862.A fire in 1961 destroyed the building. A Parish Guild was formed and there are copies of the bylaws dated 1863.
Grace Church, New Market, was constructed i n 1870. The cornerstone for St. Paul’s reads 1883. By 1888 all four churches in Linganore Parish were completed. St. Paul’s was started two miles from the log cabin location, on a one-half acre lot. The recorded cost was $1500.The building started as a simple frame church, in modified Gothic style, complete with a bell tower. It was heated with a pot bellied stove. A pump organ supplied the music.
Linganore Parish was formed in 1889, comprising Zion Parish, Urbana, Frederick County and Holy Trinity, Carroll County, and in 1890, St. James Mt. Airy was added, all under the care of the Rev. Stephenson. However, St. Paul’s was still a separate parish, also having Mr. Stephenson as rector.
Many rectors have followed this brief history. (These highlights have been taken from a more complete history- copies are readily available at St. Paul’s). The information has been taken from archival materials at the church, with additional information coming from the Diocesan records.
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