St. Ignatius Roman Catholic Church

St. Ignatius is a brick church in St. Inigoes built between 1785 and 1787 with 21-inch thick walls laid in Flemish bond and a wooden belfry. The building stands on ground deeply connected to the region's early colonial period.

After closure of Maryland's first Catholic chapel in 1704, the bricks were transported downriver to build this church in 1785. The relocation of materials shows how important the site became for maintaining Catholic presence in the region.

The church preserves artifacts from the original colonial vessels, reflecting how important this place became to the early Catholic community in the region. Visitors can still feel connected to that founding story when exploring the interior today.

The church is located at Villa Road in St. Inigoes and welcomes visitors who want to explore the interior and grounds. Keep in mind that this is an active place of worship, so visiting during service times may require courtesy and flexibility.

A stained glass window depicts a local Native American chief who joined the parish after converting to Christianity in the 1600s. This detail often goes unnoticed by visitors, though it represents a direct connection between the region's first people and the congregation.

Location: Maryland

GPS coordinates: 38.15060,-76.42360

Latest update: December 12, 2025 07:54