Colonists' Wrought Iron Cross St Francis Xavier Church - Warwick MD
Posted by: 
Don.Morfe
N 39° 26.250 W 075° 48.282
18S E 430750 N 4365637
This replica of the Maryland Colonists’ Wrought Iron Cross of 1634 stands directly over the south foundation wall of the original house-chapel-academy building (circa 1720-1745)
Waymark Code: WM13KMJ
Location: Maryland, United States
Date Posted: 01/01/2021
Views: 0
Erected by Mrs. Robert O. Mackey in Memory of Robert O. Mackey.
LOCATION: 1445 Bohemia Church Road, Warwick, MD USA 21912
From their website in part:
Saint Francis Xavier Church was founded by Father Thomas Mansell, S.J. in 1704. It is one of the earliest Catholic establishments in the English Colonies and is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Since the church is the oldest institution in the area that now comprises the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington, Old Bohemia is truly the Mother Church of the Wilmington diocese.
The plantation was clandestinely established to minister to the scattered Catholics throughout what is now Cecil County, MD, the entire Delmarva Peninsula, and southeastern PA when Catholicism was outlawed in the English Colonies. Maryland Colony’s laws during this period and until after the American Revolution prohibited the building of Catholic churches and schools, and the holding of public office by Catholics. Wealthy families often had chapels in their homes where horse circuit-riding priests would periodically come to offer Mass.
The income from the plantation supported the priests’ secret mission stations and educational activities. The Jesuits planted tobacco and other crops and ran a water-powered grist mill and a sawmill on the Bohemia River that crosses the property. Also on the plantation was a kiln for making bricks, a carpenter and a blacksmith shop, an ice house and various farm buildings typical of such a large operation.
In 1745, Fr. Thomas Poulton, S.J. started a school for boys, Bohemia Academy, and it lasted about 10 years. The school was most likely located in front of the present rectory. Among the pupils who attended the school was John Carroll, the first Catholic bishop in the United States. He is listed in school records as “Jacky” Carroll. Bishop Carroll founded Georgetown University in 1789.
Visit Instructions:
Please take a photo of the cross on your visit.