Churches
During the late 19th and early 20th century, Montgomery County witnessed a land development boom and rapid population expansion, which among other things led to the formation of new churches within the growing communities . From 1870 until 1910, two-thirds of all the new congregations established in Montgomery County were Methodist. Many of Montgomery County’s historic landmark churches still proudly stand as cornerstones of their communities.
During the late 19th and early 20th century, Montgomery County witnessed a land development boom and rapid population expansion, which among other things led to the formation of new churches within the growing communities . From 1870 until 1910, two-thirds of all the new congregations established in Montgomery County were Methodist. Many of Montgomery County’s historic landmark churches still proudly stand as cornerstones of their communities.
Darnestown Presbyterian Church and Cemetery, 1908
Darnestown Presbyterian Church and Cemetery, 1908
In 1855, the Darnestown Presbyterian Church, which is located at the corner of Turkey Foot and Darnestown Roads, was founded by the generous donation of three acres of land by John Dufief. The church was constructed of stone which was hauled from the local quarry by the men of the congregation. The completed church was dedicated on May 22, 1858. Renovations on the building took place in 1897 and again in 1953.
In 1855, the Darnestown Presbyterian Church, which is located at the corner of Turkey Foot and Darnestown Roads, was founded by the generous donation of three acres of land by John Dufief. The church was constructed of stone which was hauled from the local quarry by the men of the congregation. The completed church was dedicated on May 22, 1858. Renovations on the building took place in 1897 and again in 1953.
The iron fence along the cemetery at the back of the church once encircled Rockville's Second Courthouse. The fencing was relocated here when that structure was replaced by the Red Brick Courthouse in 1891.
The iron fence along the cemetery at the back of the church once encircled Rockville's Second Courthouse. The fencing was relocated here when that structure was replaced by the Red Brick Courthouse in 1891.
Rockville Baptist Church, 1912
Rockville Baptist Church, 1912
This Baptist Church was located on the northwest corner of Washington and Jefferson Streets from about 1913 until the early 1970s. It cost $14,671 to construct and was built largely through contributions of Spencer C. Jones, son of the first pastor Joseph Jones. A parsonage was constructed next door in 1914. It is now known that the building demolished to allow for construction of this church and parsonage was the location of 18th-century Hungerford's Tavern, once a primary landmark of Montgomery County. The Baptist Church sold its property in 1971 and moved to a modern structure on Adclare Road. A BB&T bank building replaced the church and parsonage in 1974.
This Baptist Church was located on the northwest corner of Washington and Jefferson Streets from about 1913 until the early 1970s. It cost $14,671 to construct and was built largely through contributions of Spencer C. Jones, son of the first pastor Joseph Jones. A parsonage was constructed next door in 1914. It is now known that the building demolished to allow for construction of this church and parsonage was the location of 18th-century Hungerford's Tavern, once a primary landmark of Montgomery County. The Baptist Church sold its property in 1971 and moved to a modern structure on Adclare Road. A BB&T bank building replaced the church and parsonage in 1974.
Clinton A.M.E. Zion Church in Rockville, 1912
Clinton A.M.E. Zion Church in Rockville, 1912
In 1867, several of Rockville’s African American families left Jerusalem Methodist Episcopal Church to start the African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Zion Church under the leadership of Reverend Charles Pipkins. They met in private homes and rented spaces until 1890, when the congregation cut timbers and erected a frame church on Middle Lane, which they named in honor of Reverend George Wylie Clinton (1859-1921), a highly respected member of the A.M.E. Zion Church. Later, in 1904, they moved their services into this brick structure which stood on N. Washington and Beall Ave. The congregation sold the brick church in 1955 to make way for a shopping center, dedicating their present church on Elizabeth Avenue in Lincoln Park in the fall of 1956.
In 1867, several of Rockville’s African American families left Jerusalem Methodist Episcopal Church to start the African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Zion Church under the leadership of Reverend Charles Pipkins. They met in private homes and rented spaces until 1890, when the congregation cut timbers and erected a frame church on Middle Lane, which they named in honor of Reverend George Wylie Clinton (1859-1921), a highly respected member of the A.M.E. Zion Church. Later, in 1904, they moved their services into this brick structure which stood on N. Washington and Beall Ave. The congregation sold the brick church in 1955 to make way for a shopping center, dedicating their present church on Elizabeth Avenue in Lincoln Park in the fall of 1956.
St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 1914
St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 1914
Built in 1817, St. Mary’s is Rockville's oldest church still in use. Rockville was chosen as the church's location for its relatively large concentration of Catholics, its central location within the County, and its prominence as the County seat. Originally designed as a colonial-era structure, the building was renovated over the years to resemble the Gothic style of architecture. St. Mary’s became the church from which other up-county mission churches sprang. Its attached cemetery is also the burial place of F. Scott Fitzgerald and his family, including his wife Zelda and daughter Scotty.
Built in 1817, St. Mary’s is Rockville's oldest church still in use. Rockville was chosen as the church's location for its relatively large concentration of Catholics, its central location within the County, and its prominence as the County seat. Originally designed as a colonial-era structure, the building was renovated over the years to resemble the Gothic style of architecture. St. Mary’s became the church from which other up-county mission churches sprang. Its attached cemetery is also the burial place of F. Scott Fitzgerald and his family, including his wife Zelda and daughter Scotty.
Unidentified Church, Germantown, 1913
Unidentified Church, Germantown, 1913
This photo, found in Lewis Reed's collection, was labeled with a location of Middlebrook Hills, Germantown, and dated 1913. We currently do not know the name of this church. Can you solve the mystery of the Germantown church?
This photo, found in Lewis Reed's collection, was labeled with a location of Middlebrook Hills, Germantown, and dated 1913. We currently do not know the name of this church. Can you solve the mystery of the Germantown church?