1858-1984 |
Microfilm |
RESTRICTED: Post 1940 baptisms are restricted. Written permission from the church required for access. See Registrar for further information |
Microfilm only |
SCM 4121 - SCM 4123 |
St. Mary of the Annunciation, Roman Catholic, Archdiocese of Baltimore, AL, Lonaconing, 8 St. Mary's Terrace: parish registers 1858-1870 (baptisms 1858-1870, marriages 1858-1869), 1945-1948 (baptisms 1945-1948, marriages 1945-1947, confirmations 1946-1948), 1982-1984 (baptisms 1982-1984, marriages 1982-1984, first communion 1982, confirmation 1982, deaths 1982-1984); baptismal registers 1858-1982; marriage register 1858-1982; interments 1892-1891; confirmation register 1873-1978; miscellaneous journal 1869-1906 (St. Gabriel Church, Barton, 1870-1875, financial accounts 1869-1892, inventory of items belonging to Sisters of St. Joseph 1885, first communions 1906, building costs 1869-1871). |
Lonaconing lies in the George's Creek Valley of Allegany County, a town created by the development of the George's Creek Coal and Iron Company which began operations in 1837. The first Catholics in the area were Germans who attended services at Cumberland and Arnold's Station, now known as Mount Savage. For a time itinerant priests served Catholics in Lonaconing until the Redemptorists began their ministry there in 1843. Father Newman assembled a congregation of German Catholics and held services in the "stone house" in Knapps Valley until 1865. Irish Catholics moved into the area during the late 1850s and were tended by priests from St. Michael's in Frostburg.
Encouraged by the Archbishop, efforts were made to construct a church where all Lonaconing Catholics could worship together. Foundations were started in 1859 but lack of funds and the Civil War delayed construction of the building. The church was not completed until Christmas 1865. During construction, the Redemptorists and Archbishop Eccleston had intended the church be named St. Raphael, but it ultimately became known as St. Mary of the Annunciation. For several years the church was a mission of St. Michael's (Frostburg) and later put in the charge of the Carmelites.
In 1870, Father James O'Brien began his thirteen year pastorate at St. Mary's and also served a mission at Barton. During this period a rectory was built and a school was constructed. |