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Founded in 1641, St. Ignatius is one of the oldest Catholic Parishes in continuous service in the United States. Fr. Andrew White and other Jesuits sailed on the Ark and the Dove to help found an English Colony, permitting freedom of religion. Fr. White settled among the Potobac Indians at Chapel Point, learned to speak their language, and soon baptized their Indian Tayak or Chief. Although often tried by repressive laws, the Jesuits continued to serve colonists, Indians, and slaves from the "olde wooden chapelle" by the point, and later from "Paradise Hill." Supplies from the Manor Farm were offered to the Americans attacking Yorktown.
With the return of peace, the present church was built in 1798. It was blessed by John Carroll, the first bishop of Baltimore. Though suppressed worldwide in 1773, the Society of Jesus was restored in America by those who took their vows in this church in 1805. From here, saddle priests rode forth to serve all of Charles County, as well as parts of Prince George's and Calvert Counties. Union troops occupied St. Thomas Manor during the Civil War. Fire substantially destroyed the interior of the church and Manor House on December 27, 1866. However, by June 7, 1868, both were restored and rededicated.
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The Manor House of St. Thomas Manor witnessed the rebirth of the Jesuits and has been conspicuous in the history of the Province. Here, for over 170 years, lived the Superiors of the Jesuits, acting as Vicar General for the Vicar Apostolic of the London district in England.
Built in 1741 as the residence for the Superior of the Maryland Mission, it was the center of the mission circuit of St. Thomas the Apostle, which served all of Charles County, part of Prince George's County, and part of Virginia. Letters in Rome show that in 1741, some complained that "The Jesuits at St. Thomas Manor are raising a palace unbecoming a religious order."
The Manor House itself is the oldest Jesuit residence in continuous use in the world.
The present Church was built in 1798 by Fr. Charles Sewall, S.J., and is dedicated to God and to St. Ignatius Loyola.
The interior of the Church has colonial iron railings on the balconies. The colonial chandelier is hand worked and was especially made for St. Ignatius. The baptistry was added in 1963 during a general restoration directed by Fr. A. Robert Thoman, S.J. The vestibule contains an old mission altar found in a private home near Welcome, Maryland. Also in the vestibule is a large marble statue of St. Ignatius Loyola, which was a gift to St. Ignatius Parish from the Jesuits in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
The sacristy, together with the space occupied by the main altar of the Church, constituted the little chapel built probably in 1662 when Fr. Warren became the first resident pastor. The chapel porch was enclosed to conform to the law that "no one may enter a Roman Catholic chapel except through a private residence." Seven Jesuits are believed to be buried under the sacristy.
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Potomac Heritage Partnership |
| 1623 28th St., NW |
Washington, DC 20007 |
| Phone: 202.333.4478 |
Fax: 202.333.6733 |
| info@potomacheritage.org |
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