HISTORY OF CHRIST CHURCH CAMBRIDGE

The Episcopal Church in Cambridge has served the community since 1692. The geographical boundaries of Great Choptank Parish were established eight years after the founding of Cambridge. Christ Church, located on historic High Street, not only has played a significant role throughout the history of Cambridge, but it stands today as one of the outstanding examples of Gothic architecture on the Eastern Shore and the State of Maryland. Originally parishioners worshiped in the Court House. With the help of tobacco taxes and the authority of King William, the construction of the first church building was completed in 1694. One hundred years later, just after the War of Independence, it was decided a new building was needed. Because of the Revolution, the Church of England in America was in an akward political position, and Church attendance declined and criticism grew. However, in 1793 the second building was started. In time, the Church started placing local, instead of British rectors in parishes, and this helped immensely to rebuild membership. On Thanksgiving Day 1882, the second building was destroyed by fire. The devoted congregation, under the leadership of the Rector, Reverend Theodore Philip Barber, began planning the present structure.

The present building, dedicated in 1884, is the third to be located on this site. The history of Christ Church closely parallels the history of Cambridge and Maryland. Its historical significance is further established by contributions of active citizens who were communicants, including five Maryland governors. Walk through the graveyard, located behind the church, which commemorates other historically notable persons, and see who is buried there.

The interior of Christ Church provides an atmosphere of peace and contemplation, with its sculptured columns, ark like dark wood beams, and thirty-two imported stained glass windows. The needlepoint kneelers artistically portray Eastern Shore themes. The highly detailed huge round rose window thematically portrays the beatitudes from Christ's Sermon on the Mount. Many of the stained glass windows were designed by craftsmen in London, carefully packed and shipped with a chart of assembly to Cambridge.