FEBRUARY 8-9, 2025 marked the KICK-OFF for the celebration of the 350th Anniversary of the Church in Dorchester Parish: 1675-2025

**FEBRUARY 8, 2025**

Our 350th Anniversary Kick-Off Weekend commenced on the 210th anniversary of the “Battle of the Ice Mound”, which took place in 1815 off the nearby James and Taylors Islands.

Old Trinity Church hosted the Chesapeake Independent Blues and the Fort McHenry Guard, both nationally recognized War of 1812 interpretive organizations from Maryland. “The Blues” and “The Guard” visited our campus to pay honor to the war veterans who are buried on our sacred grounds — among them, those who fought in the American Revolution and the War of 1812 (including members of the 48th Maryland Regiment).

The day’s events featured:

–A fife & drum military salute

–A three-volley musket salute across Church Creek

–Prayers of Commemoration for American Veterans

–A recreation of Militia actions at the Battle of the Ice Mound

–The new NPS “Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail” mobile visitor center onsite

**SUNDAY – FEBRUARY 9 (during our regularly scheduled service)**

The first of three HISTORIC ANGLICAN SERVICES was held on Sunday, February 9 at 11:00 am, featuring Holy Communion from the 1662 Book of Common Prayer of the Church of England, the liturgy in use when our “Venerable Pile of Bricks” first began holding services for the early settlers of Dorchester County in the 17th century.

**COMING ON TRINITY SUNDAY – JUNE 15**

The next HISTORIC SERVICE is scheduled for TRINITY SUNDAY, June 15, 2025 (11:00 am). This service will feature Holy Communion for the 1789 Book of Common Prayer, the first liturgy of the fledgling PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

Vestments and furnishings will be arranged in keeping with the period. Once again, Father Dan will use his time in the pulpit to explain the changes that the Anglican/Episcopal tradition has seen since Old Trinity’s construction ca. 1675.