History


	[Saint George] [History]


	Updated August 10, 2004

For more History from the dedication of the Church on October 10, 1959

Saint George Catholic Church

(from the 2001 Membership Directory)

Established in 1851, St. George Parish was staffed by the Jesuit Community of Fathers for over one hundred years, then by Archdiocesan priests. The present structure was built in 1959. Renovations and improvements have been made from time to time, including the recent installation of stained glass windows and a restroom in the foyer of the church.

The St. George Community Center Building was erected in 1984, replacing the “old church hall”, used for many years for C.C.D. classes and Church “festivals”. The present building has six classrooms, office, hall and seating capacity for 250, and a large kitchen. Two major fundraising dinners are held there each year; the third Sunday in August features our famous crab cakes, fried chicken and ham; the third Sunday in October, Southern Maryland stuffed ham and fried oysters. The building is also used for luncheons following funerals, wedding receptions and other socials.

The present rectory was built in 1992.

Members of the parish are involved in community projects; such as delivering lunches to the homebound, baking desserts for Senior Citizens’ monthly parties, voter registration, Christmas gifts and food baskets for the needy, Lobby Night in Annapolis, Christmas in April, etc. A Cub Scout Pack and Boy Scout Troop meet regularly at the Community Center Building.

Saint Francis Xavier Chapel

Over a century old, this building, with its front doors facing the Potomac River, constructed entirely of wood, has been a place of worship for many island residents and those from nearby Piney Point. Deterioration, need for repair and age caused the Chapel to be closed for its unsafe condition in 1974. It was restored, however, in 1987 as a mission of St. George Church. The bell tower, struck by lightening in the 1950’s, has recently been reconstructed.

Mass is offered at the Chapel from Memorial Day to Labor Day, Saturday evenings each summer and again on Christmas and New Year’s Day.

A parishioner has been quoted as saying, “there are very few places in the world where a priest can stand at the altar and see a beautiful sunset as he can at St. Francis Xavier Chapel.”