On August 22, 1814, American Brigadier General William Winder spotted the enemy invasion force approaching this church, then called Page’s Chapel. The British marched west toward Bellefields, Woodyard, and Fort Washington, then doubled back before heading north to Upper Marlboro.Uncertain of the enemy’s intent, Winder held his troops overnight at Long Old Fields (now Forestville). Two days later, the opposing armies battled at Bladensburg.
National Humiliation Day
Page’s Chapel was Episcopal Bishop Thomas John Claggett’s home church. In 1812 President Madison declared the third Thursday in August a day of “fasting, prayer, and humiliation” for the declaration of war. Claggett ordered all churches in the Diocese of Maryland to comply.
Page’s Chapel (1745), Architectural Rendering, Firm of Milton L. Grigg, 1954 IMAGE / COURTESY ST. THOMAS’ PARISH ARCHIVES
“I proceeded…to gain an observation of the enemy, and came with in view of the enemy’s advance about two miles below the chapel.”
– American Brig. Gen. William H. Winder, September 26, 1814
British soldiers marched past Page’s Chapel, then made a feint to confuse the Americans. IMAGE / © GERRY EMBLETON
1814 British Invasion Route by American Major Gen. James Wilkinson, 1816
IMAGE / COURTESY FORT MCHENRY NATIONAL MONUMENT AND HISTORIC SHRINE
(War of 1812) Includes location, directions, 1 photo, GPS coordinates, map.