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Among the oldest Episcopal churches in Maryland, Christ Church, Durham Parish, Nanjemoy is one of the original 30 churches chartered in the Providence of Maryland by the Colonial Assembly in 1692. Its congregation was formed many years before this date. Still in use is the church’s communion service, a chalice and paten, or communion plate, of London Silver of 1707, said to be one of the oldest in the United States. The chalice was bequeathed to the church in 1708 by William Dent, the owner and builder of Friendship House – one of Charles County’s oldest homes, built around 1680. A log church was first erected on this site as reported by the vestry to the Governor in 1694. In 1732, the same year George Washington and William Smallwood were born, construction began on the brick church that would replace the original log structure. The walls were raised to provide galleries and major repairs were completed in 1793.
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