St. Nicholas Chapel

The church was named for the patron saint of Nicholas Sewell, head of a leading family and owner of Mattapany Plantation

Photo: JR M Yelp

Photo: Nicole Clark Gazette.net

Photo: Tom Fuchs, March 31, 2007 Historical Marker Database

Used by permission

Photo: Naval Air Station Patuxent River Tester

The interior was restored in 2006

Photo: JR M Yelp

When the Naval base was established, the cemetery surrounding the church was concealed by burying the tombstones on top of the graves. The cemetery was rededicated in 2006, and the oldest graves restored. 230 headstones were reset by 2008; over 700 total burials are documented.

Photo: Donna Cipolloni Naval Air Station Patuxent River Tester

Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Maryland USA

Roman Catholic/Ecumenical

Church Website

The concrete block chapel, built in 1916, is on the site of the original St. Nicholas parish that was part of a 1795 English Catholic Jesuit mission. It served the town of Pearson, Susquehanna, Mattapany, Fordstown, and Jarboesville, and the farms of Cedar Point. It became a military chapel in 1943 and hosted services for Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, and Christian Science congregants. Known as the Base Station Chapel, the name St. Nicholas Chapel was restored in 1976. It is a listed Maryland Historic Landmark. The 300-pound bell is from the World War II aircraft carrier, USS Attu. Catholic services are at 8:00 and 9:30 Sunday mornings; Protestant service at 11:00 am.