Church Named To National Register

OCEAN CITY - St. Paul's by-the-Sea Protestant Episcopal Church was recently entered into the National Registry of Historic Places, a division of the National Park Service, United States Department of Interior.

This Gothic Revival frame church, constructed in 1900-1901 is a prominent landmark in Ocean City. St. Paul's, with only minor alterations in its long life, is one of the few buildings remaining in the resort town from the turn of the 19^th century.

The historic designation was initiated by Diane Savage, church member of St. Paul's, and assisted by Preservation Maryland, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving Maryland's historic buildings, neighborhoods, landscapes and archaeological sites through outreach, funding and advocacy.

'The inclusion of St. Paul's by-the-Sea in the National Register of Historic Places is an important precedent for Ocean City and will encourage the congregation of good stewards of the building and its furnishings, in addition to, its fine collection of Lamb Studio stained-glass windows for generations to come. Too, this important historic designation provides another dimension to the tourist experience in Ocean City,' said Savage in giving her reasons for pursuing this recognition.

According to Tyler Gearhart, President of Preservation Maryland, 'Preservation Maryland is honored to have supported the successful nomination of St. Paul's Episcopal Church to the National Register of Historic Places. With this important designation, St. Paul's by-the-Sea joins a list of national historic treasures our country recognizes as significant and worthy of protection.'

'I think many people would be surprised to learn that St. Paul's is the first and only building in Ocean City listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. Hopefully other building owners will see the significance of this important recognition and consider applying for nomination,' said Glenn Irwin, executive director of the Ocean City Development Corporation.