December 9th, 2013
It was quiet as I passed the other night St. Martin’s Church….not so much so on Friday, November 1st when the celebration of The Fall Feast of St. Martin took place. St. Martin’s Church is located at 11413 Old Worcester Highway, Showell, MD 21811.
I was looking forward to mingling with friends and stepping into the past.
The mood inside the tent was festive.
The food was delicious, combining the cuisine of the region, from farm to table and from the sea to the raw bar.
And plenty to choose for dessert.
Historic St. Martin’s Church is one of the oldest structures in Worcester County. It was built in 1756, 20 years prior to the signing of The Declaration of Independence.
This is the key that opens the doors to this historic church, built brick by brick. The importance of historic preservation…”St. Martin’s Church is considered by many historians to be the finest preserved, most significant piece of American history on the Lower Eastern Shore.”
The President of the Board of Directors is Mrs. Sherrie T. Beckstead. With her there are many that make possible the fundraising to keep the preservation on-going.
St. Martin’s Church is a museum. It is open to the public on a regular basis. Please visit http://www.historicstmartinschurch.org. Summer and fall bring open houses that are scheduled and staffed by volunteers. It is also available for private tours. It is a venue for historic weddings. Educational events like the Shakespeare performance of Romeo & Juliet are free to the public.
Take a look inside St. Martin’s. The pews have a history, as well….many of them were owned by area families.
A beautiful performance inside St. Martin’s by Vocalist Rachel Allman….the evening ended with the announcement of the raffle…a replica of the Key to St. Martin!!
Have a great day!!
October 25th, 2012
This is the key that opens the doors of Historic St. Martin’s Church. On November 2 ,2012 they will open, again, the doors to this 256 year old architectural gem for the celebration of St. Martin’s Day. It is the Fall Feast of St. Martin. It will also serve as a fundraising event with all proceeds going to the continuation of Phase II-Preservation and New Public Facilities.
Historic St. Martin’s Church is located at 11413 Worcester Highway (Rt. 113 & 589 Junction), Showell, Maryland, 21813. Only 4 miles north of Berlin, about 1/2 hour, give or take, from Rehoboth Beach and the rest of the Delaware Beaches. The Church is adjacent to Highway 113. Tel. 410-430-2142. Website? http://www.historicstmartinschurch.org. Find it on Facebook as Historic St. Martins Church.
The first time I visited St. Martin’s I fell in love with it; so quiet. On my first post, I mentioned that I passed this Church every day for so many years. Looked at it, standing all by itself among the tall pines. I did not know that it had been there for so long.
Its preservation has been a labor of love by many in the community that wanted this relic preserved. The Historic St. Martin’s Foundation was established and with its President, Mrs. Sherrie Beckstead, at the helm of this Foundation, St. Martin’s has opened as a Museum. It is also available for romantic and historic weddings; it is the perfect setting.
St. Martin’s is the oldest of 11 Worcester County Museums. It is a proud gem of the community and a National Historic Landmark.
The simplicity of this St. Martin’s says it all. It was built in colonial times when life was a challenge; it took brave hearts and determination. It was a place of worship.
The preserved brick floor remains.
Reminiscent of the 18th century are the pine box pews, the barrel vaulted ceiling and the magnificent pulpit.
On Friday, November, 2nd, a dining of the season’s harvest celebrates St. Martin’s Day. It is also a way to raise funds in order to proceed with Phase II – Preservation and new public facilities. At this event you will be able to see what has been accomplished so far. There will be music, food, and plenty of cheer. The festivities will begin at 5:30 p.m. The tickets are $125.00 per person. For more information, please call 410-726-2197. But, do it soon since seating is limited. A portion of the ticket price is tax deductible.
So….take a look…to appreciate it, you’ll have to see it.
June 8th, 2012
This is the actual key that has unlocked the past of Historic St. Martin’s Church. Preserving it has been a labor of love and much work.
I thought I had gotten an e-mail by mistake. An invitation to a Business after Hours from the Berlin Chamber of Commerce. No, no mistake at all. My connection to this invitation had to do with the Historic St. Martin’s Church.
A Business after Hours where members can relax an meet one another. The location? The Historic St. Martin’s Church is located at 11413 Worcester Highway, Showell, MD 21813. (Rt. 113 & 589 Junction.) Four miles north of Berlin, Maryland. The Church is adjacent to the highway (113). Tel. 410-430-2142. E-mail historicstmartin@aol.com. Website? www.historicstmartinschurch.org.
I don’t think words describe how beautiful this Church is. It was built in 1756, twenty years prior to the signing of The Declaration of Independence. They came by carriage, horse, boat or by foot to worship.
It is so quiet, peaceful and sits on a property that is surrounded by pine trees.
Historic St. Martin’s Church is 256 years old. After all these years, the preserved brick floor remains. The pine box pews, the barrel vaulted ceiling and the magnificent Pulpit are reminiscent of the 18th century.
The Berlin Chamber of Commerce’s Business After Hours, was well attended with a lite fare and drinks available. The Church was open and guests could either sit inside and enjoy the Church or just chat and make friends outdoors. Raffles and a 50/50 drawing were also part of the evening’s activities.
I wrote about St. Martin’s Church last year, on May 9th. If you want to see it, just go under the Archives and click on the month of May, 2011 and scroll down to the 9th.
The Church is worth visiting. It is a Museum. It is open every Saturday, from June until October. Volunteer docents are available for tours. Tour hours are at 10 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Historic St. Martin’s Church is the perfect setting for a wedding. Simple, romantic, historic and charming. If you have an interest, please call 410-430-2142, or email hitoricstmartin@aol.com.
Besides weddings, the Church is available for lectures and educational events.
Admission to Historic St. Martin’s is free of charge; but donations are graciously accepted.
Note: Please call ahead of time or e-mail for special assistance or handicap access.
Have a great week-end!!!
June 2nd, 2011
Simple Colonial lines, a National Historic Landmark, the oldest of the 11 Worcester County Museums, standing since 1756. And, now this unique church has been “restored for the new millenium.”
If you live in the Eastern Shore, this museum is around the corner from you. Granted, you might have to drive a little bit but I will tell that is so worth it. The preservations continues; that never stops. St. Martin’s Church will be holding another open house on Saturday, June 4th from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. This will be the beginning of open houses on Saturdays so everyone can get a chance to discover it and appreciate it. Tours are available, as well.
St. Martin’s Church is located at Rt. 113 & 589 Junction. 4 miles north of Berlin, Maryland. Website: www.historicstmartinschurch.org. Tel. 410-430-2142. E-mail historicstmartin@aol.com. You can also visit Worcester County Museums at www.octhebeach.com/museum.
The Open House on Saturday is sponsored by the St. Martin’s Church Foundation with volunteers from Sinepuxtent Questers, Worcester County Garden Club and other community volunteers acting as docents.
I wrote a post with pictures on St. Martin’s on May 9th. All you have to do is click on the month of May 2011 and scroll down to the 9th.
I visited St. Martin’s Church during the last open house celebrating International Museum Day. It was so nice to see the people come in with a true interest for this church that sits by itself on this major corridor called Rt. 113.
Mrs. Sherrie Beckstead is at the helm of the St. Martin’s Church Foundation. St. Martin’s graciously accepts donations; all tax deductible.
A key pendant, a replica of the key to the doors of St. Martin’s, will be available in 18 karat gold or sterling silver as a keepsake. I believe a charm is in the works, as well.
A commemorative plate of St. Martin’s Church is also available.
If you are interested, please call 410-430-2142. Eventually, you will be able to purchase keepsakes through their website, as well.
On my last visit I noticed that the windows and the Church were dressed so appropriately, with beautiful greenery.
I found out that it has been the work of The Worcester County Garden Club. This club is busy.
The Worcester County Garden Club was formed in September, 1959. It then became part of the Maryland Federated Garden Clubs, Inc. It also became a member of the National Garden Clubs.
It is a non-profit organization that provides volunteers to work with the community in promoting conservation, environmental and beautification projects.
Current projects are: Decorating at St. Martin’s Historic Church for special tours, seed planting and tree planting with area school children, maintaining a garden at the Genesar Historic Marker in Berlin, Maryland, maintaining a butterly garden at the Snow Hill Elementary School, planting with senior citizens at various nursing homes and assisted living facilities, placing flags and wreaths at the Hurlock Veteran’s Cemetery, assisting at the Ocean Pines Veterans War Memorial in Flag protocol for students and various ceremony activities.
In addition to the inside and outside gardening projects, they also do floral design workshops and are having a Standard Flower Show on September 16th and 17th, which is open to the public at the Ocean Pines Library.
On Monday, June 6th this Garden Club will be holding its annual scholarship fundraiser at 11 a.m. at the Calvin B. Taylor Museum in Berlin, Maryland. Rain Date is Tuesday, 6/7.
This fundraising event is a sale and auction of plants and other garden related items.
Lunch will be served; reservations are needed. Open to the public and it is free to attend. Call Joan Vetare for reservations and more info. at 410-641-1305.
I told you they are one busy club. New members are welcomed. If you have an interest please call Mary Lou Scott at 410-208-6558, or e-mail her at mlgsguru@aol.com.
Have a great day!! It is one gorgeous day at the Delmarva Peninsula!!
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