Saint Mary's Chapel, Baltimore

A continuation of yesterpost!

Mother Seton's house in Baltimore is right next to the first Catholic seminary in the United States. The buildings from St. Mary's Seminary and university are gone except for the Chapel of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Temple. Construction began in 1806 and was finished in 1808, the year that Mother Seton came to Baltimore. The chapel was designed by French architect Maximilian Godefroy. He also taught at the college. The chapel follows the neo-Gothic style and is the first one of that style built in the United States.

Chapel of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Temple

The chapel, like Mother Seton's house, is on the National Register of Historic Places. The chapel is still in use today, though mostly for special events. St. Mary's University moved to Emmitsburg in 1809.

Main altar

The organ

The chapel was slowly adorned as money became available through the years. The stained glass windows were added one section at a time.

Behind the altar with Saint Joseph

Also behind the altar but not as well lit

A statue of Mary at the temple

Below the main altar is a crypt not open to the public.

Glass floor over the crypt

Another angle on the main altar

The upper chapel was used by the college students. The lower chapel served the needs of the neighborhood, which at the time had a lot of French speakers--people from France, Canada, Haiti, and other areas. The chapel is where Mother Seton took her vows as a Sister of Charity of Saint Joseph.

Main altar of the lower chapel

Two women who helped found the Oblate Sisters of Providence also worshipped here. Mother Mary Lange founded the order which focused on educating girls of African descent. 

Mother Mary Elizabeth Lange

Sister Theresa Maxis Duchemin was one of the first Oblates, eventually becoming the Superior General of the order. 

Sr. Theresa Maxis Duchemin