History of St. George's Episcopal "Poplar Hill" Church..
 

      Leonard Calvert and his party of settlers landed from the Ark and Dove at St. Mary's City in 1634. As settlement spread westward up the Potomac and Patuxent Rivers, a new political subdivision, St. George's Hundred, was established in 1638 just west of St. Mary's River.

      It is believed the first church at Poplar Hill was built on this site between 1638 and 1642. It stood about fifty feet to the northward of our present church. Its position was, in all probability, determined by the location of the two great oaks, which stood on either side of its entrance. Lay readers and visiting clergy from Virginia conducted services from the establishment of the first church until 1650 when the Reverend William Wilkinson arrived to become the first resident Anglican minister in Maryland. He officiated at both "Poplar Hill" and St. Mary's and perhaps other locations until his death in 1663-5.

      In 1675 Robert Cager conveyed his 344 acres farm "Itchcomb Freehold" as a Glebe property for the "maintenance of a Protestant minister ... among the inhabitants of St. George's and Poplar Hill Hundreds." For many years the Parish Hall stood on the site of the Old Glebe farm about one mile from the church.

      Out best evidence indicates that a second church was built on this site about 1692 and a third about 1760.

       In 1692 St. Mary’s County was divided into two parishes, which both contained about 1000 tythables. The parishes were named William and Mary and King and Queen Parishes. At that time there was already a church built at Poplar Hill (St. George’s) and another was going forward to be built near Captain Coads of which he was taken care. There was no minister inducted but Mr. James Crawford was officiating.

       We know that the present church was built in 1799 after a fire. This church was constructed to include a slave gallery, the stairs to which entered through what is now the first window on the south side. Entrances to the church were provided through both north and south walls.

       Extensive alterations were made on the present church in 1884. These included removal of gallery and pulpit, bricking up side doors, installation of stained glass windows, building a vesting room and installation of iron supporting rods in walls.

      In 1896 a Chapel of Ease was built on St. George Island. This chapel was consecrated on 14 June 1899. By 1925 the chapel had fallen into disrepair and was apparently not being used. At that time the vestry decided to make repairs and sell the building. The Rector during this time was The Reverend Maurice H. Vaughan who also brought about changes at St. George. Before his coming the pews were rented to raise money for the parish. He declared the pews free and had the doors removed.

      A steeple has twice been placed on the church and twice removed, because the weight made the roof unsafe. The brick bell tower in the churchyard was built in 1942.

      Much needed renovation was done in 1958. At that time it was also decided to remove the small vesting room in the rear of the church and to build a new sacristy on the southeast corner of the structure.

      In June of 1960 construction of a new Parish Hall began on a site adjacent to the church.

      After the completion of the parish hall, St. George’s became an independent parish for the first time with the help of the diocese. Before this time we had shared rectors with St. Mary’s, Trinity and at times St. Andrews.

      A new rectory of colonial design, which harmonized with the church and the parish hall, was completed in 1965. The first priest to be a resident of the rectory was Rev. Walter Lewis who had previously served both Trinity and St. George’s. Rev. Lewis chose to serve at St. George’s.

      The ladies of the church have played a big part in the life of St. George’s. With the help of the vestry they have organized many social events and hosted many dinners, the most notable is the annual church dinner. They have also been faithful members of the Altar Guild. There have also been social clubs that involve the whole community. Some popular events were church dinners followed by dances, jousting tournaments, ice cream socials and annual church picnics.

      Our children have been a vital part of St. George’s. Our enrollment in Sunday School has ranged from 35 to 50 over they years. They learn about the love of God and also learn to participate in the worship service. Many have served as Acolytes, and readers. Our youth group has joined with other youth groups for retreats and social activities. Many have grown to be church leaders.