St. Clement's Island
Encyclopedia
St. Clement's Island lies in the Potomac River
near Colton's Point, Maryland
, in the United States
. The uninhabited island has been designated St. Clement's Island State Park.
The park preserves the site of the March 25, 1634, landing of Maryland's
first colonists, commemorated as Maryland Day
. The island served as a convenient and non-threatening temporary base of operations for the 150 settlers, as they negotiated with the Yaocomico
Indians for land for a permanent settlement. It was the site of the first mass
celebrated in that part of the world, said by Jesuit
Father Andrew White
. It is widely believed that mass took place on the very day of the landing itself. St. Clement's Manor, including the Island, was the first manor granted by Lord Baltimore and its lord, Dr. Thomas Gerard (Gerrard), who played a significant role in 17th century Maryland history. They named the island in honor of Pope Saint Clement I
, patron of mariners. The island, soon renamed Blackistone Island after the Blackistone family, came under its ownership in 1669 and remained in that family for 162 years. It was renamed St. Clement's Island once again in 1961, when the property was leased to the state of Maryland.
A water ferry leaves from the St. Clement's Island-Potomac River Museum near Colton's Point. A 40- foot stone cross stands on the island, in memory of the first settlers. In 1934, to celebrate Maryland’s 300th birthday, Governor Albert Ritchie
, dedicated the cross recognizing this site as the location where religious toleration in America had its foundation. The park is administered by Point Lookout State Park. The St. Clement's Island Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
on April 10, 1972.
For many years the island, then known as Blackistone Island, was the site of a lighthouse
. Through the efforts of the St. Clement's Hundred, a local community organization created for the preservation of St. Clement's Island, a replica of the Blackistone Lighthouse was constructed and completed in June 2008.
Potomac River
The Potomac River flows into the Chesapeake Bay, located along the mid-Atlantic coast of the United States. The river is approximately long, with a drainage area of about 14,700 square miles...
near Colton's Point, Maryland
Coltons Point, Maryland
Coltons Point is an unincorporated community in what is popularly called the "Seventh District" of St. Mary's County, Maryland, United States. Here are located a small historical museum, a lighthouse, and a Catholic devotional monument to the miraculous medal. Seasonal boat service at times...
, in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The uninhabited island has been designated St. Clement's Island State Park.
The park preserves the site of the March 25, 1634, landing of Maryland's
Province of Maryland
The Province of Maryland was an English and later British colony in North America that existed from 1632 until 1776, when it joined the other twelve of the Thirteen Colonies in rebellion against Great Britain and became the U.S...
first colonists, commemorated as Maryland Day
Maryland Day
Maryland Day is a legal holiday in the U.S. state of Maryland. It is observed on the anniversary of the March 25, 1634, landing of settlers in the Province of Maryland. On this day settlers from The Ark and The Dove first stepped foot onto Maryland soil, at St. Clement's Island in the Potomac River...
. The island served as a convenient and non-threatening temporary base of operations for the 150 settlers, as they negotiated with the Yaocomico
Yaocomico
The Yaocomico, or Yaocomaco, were an Algonquian-speaking Native American group who lived along the north bank of the Potomac River near its confluence with the Chesapeake Bay in the 17th century...
Indians for land for a permanent settlement. It was the site of the first mass
Mass (liturgy)
"Mass" is one of the names by which the sacrament of the Eucharist is called in the Roman Catholic Church: others are "Eucharist", the "Lord's Supper", the "Breaking of Bread", the "Eucharistic assembly ", the "memorial of the Lord's Passion and Resurrection", the "Holy Sacrifice", the "Holy and...
celebrated in that part of the world, said by Jesuit
Society of Jesus
The Society of Jesus is a Catholic male religious order that follows the teachings of the Catholic Church. The members are called Jesuits, and are also known colloquially as "God's Army" and as "The Company," these being references to founder Ignatius of Loyola's military background and a...
Father Andrew White
Andrew White (missionary)
Andrew White, S.J. was an English Jesuit missionary who was involved in the founding of the Maryland colony. He was a chronicler of the early colony, and his writings are a primary source on the land, the Native Americans of the area, and the Jesuit mission in North America...
. It is widely believed that mass took place on the very day of the landing itself. St. Clement's Manor, including the Island, was the first manor granted by Lord Baltimore and its lord, Dr. Thomas Gerard (Gerrard), who played a significant role in 17th century Maryland history. They named the island in honor of Pope Saint Clement I
Pope Clement I
Starting in the 3rd and 4th century, tradition has identified him as the Clement that Paul mentioned in Philippians as a fellow laborer in Christ.While in the mid-19th century it was customary to identify him as a freedman of Titus Flavius Clemens, who was consul with his cousin, the Emperor...
, patron of mariners. The island, soon renamed Blackistone Island after the Blackistone family, came under its ownership in 1669 and remained in that family for 162 years. It was renamed St. Clement's Island once again in 1961, when the property was leased to the state of Maryland.
A water ferry leaves from the St. Clement's Island-Potomac River Museum near Colton's Point. A 40- foot stone cross stands on the island, in memory of the first settlers. In 1934, to celebrate Maryland’s 300th birthday, Governor Albert Ritchie
Albert Ritchie
Albert Cabell Ritchie , a member of the United States Democratic Party, was the 49th Governor of Maryland in the United States from 1920 to 1935...
, dedicated the cross recognizing this site as the location where religious toleration in America had its foundation. The park is administered by Point Lookout State Park. The St. Clement's Island Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
on April 10, 1972.
For many years the island, then known as Blackistone Island, was the site of a lighthouse
Blakistone Island Light
The Blakistone Island Light was a lighthouse located on what is now St. Clement's Island on the Potomac River in Maryland. It is best known as the target of a Confederate raid in the Civil War.-History:...
. Through the efforts of the St. Clement's Hundred, a local community organization created for the preservation of St. Clement's Island, a replica of the Blackistone Lighthouse was constructed and completed in June 2008.
External links
- St. Clement's Island State Park - official site
- St. Clement's Island Historic District, St. Mary's County, Inventory No.: SM-123, including photo in 2002, at Maryland Historical Trust website