Christ Church Guilford

Christ Church Guilford is an Episcopal church built with handmade brick in English garden wall bond pattern, featuring twin entrance doors and rectangular nave windows. The structure displays characteristic early 19th-century ecclesiastical design with its symmetric openings and solid masonry construction.

The church was established as Queen Caroline Parish in 1727 and received its current brick structure in 1809 under Judge Henry Ridgely's direction. This transformation created an enduring building that has continued in use for over two centuries.

The Episcopal congregation treasures a 1701 Bible originally sent by Queen Anne to the parish, which still connects worshippers to the place's royal heritage. This gift remains a tangible link between the congregation and its founding era.

The building stands as the oldest continuously operating religious structure in Howard County and sits about a mile from modern Columbia. Its location offers easy access while providing a historical contrast to the nearby contemporary development.

The interior holds a gallery structure extending across three sides of the nave, preserving original architectural elements from the early 19th century. This spatial arrangement was relatively uncommon in American churches and owes its survival to the congregation's careful stewardship.

Location: Maryland

Inception: 1809

GPS coordinates: 39.18440,-76.82810

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:42