Friends of Historic Christ Church
The mission of the Friends of Historic Christ Church is to accomplish the restoration, renovation, and preservation of the historic 19th century church buildings and grounds while providing public facilities to accommodate fine arts and appropriate ceremonies.
About Christ Church
A superb example of the Queen Anne style of ecclesiastical architecture and also one of the most carefully preserved Victorian Churches in Maryland, Christ Church, on Stevensville’s Main Street, is an historic gem. Christ Church attests to Kent Island’s importance as the cradle of the Anglican Church in Maryland being the site of the earliest Anglican settlement in the colony.
The congregation was first established at Claiborne’s settlement at Kent Point in the 1630’s and the present building, constructed in 1880, is the fourth known church to be constructed by the parish. In 1995, the congregation relocated to a new, larger, facility on Rt. 8. Christ Church continues to be used as a house of worship.
The 1880 church is distinguished by a steep slate roof, and an unusual chimney designed in the medieval ‘lancet’ style and is garnished with simple yet pleasing stained glass windows arranged in three pairs along each side wall with larger arched windows in the south gable behind the altar. The bell tower adjoins the east facade. The church’s dramatic interior is dominated by the steeply pitched ceiling that rises heavenward above the congregation and is supported by open, stick-style trusses that divide the building into four bays.
The church’s dramatic interior is dominated by the steeply pitched ceiling that rises heavenward above the congregation and is supported by open, stick-style trusses that divide the building into four bays.
Stevensville’s Historic Christ Church Opens for Weddings and Community Events
The historic Christ Church in Stevensville will welcome weddings, meetings, and community events beginning in September. Improvements have been made to the church and parish hall meeting space to accommodate events.
The Friends of Historic Christ Church (FHCC) received the historic property from the Queen Anne’s County Government late in 2019. COVID delayed efforts to return the property to the community resource as which it had long served. Historic Christ Church was built around 1880 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. The church sanctuary has remained a popular feature of historic tours during different ownerships.
FHCC will use income from weddings and other events to maintain the property and for further investments in upgrading the church and hall, including repainting the church. FHCC is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, so donations are tax deductible.
The church sanctuary has a capacity of 125 for weddings and presentations and the parish hall has space for 232 people for meetings. Tables and chairs can be provided. Meal catering and other services are available from local merchants.
The mission of the Friends of Historic Christ Church is to accomplish the restoration, renovation, and preservation of the historic 19th century church buildings and grounds while providing public facilities to accommodate fine arts and appropriate ceremonies.
For information on use of the Historic Christ Church property contact Nancy Cook at (410) 758-2502.