CHURCH CREEK, Maryland (WUSA9)--Christianity in North America dates back to the 1500's when Europeans started building settlements.
Today, Father Time and Mother Nature have practically erased our early Christian heritage. But, there's still an old church in Dorchester County, Maryland that stands. For more than three centuries the Old Trinity Church has been a place for worship.
The church was built in the 1600's. Several decades before our Founding Fathers were even born. Back then, the congregation would have been British.
Today, all of this history is in the hands of Father Dan Dunlap
"Yes, everyone was a British citizen up until 1776," says Father Dunlap. "It is the oldest church building in the United States that's still in active use."
Many members of this church paved the way for the rest of us. Some fought in the Revolutionary War -- others helped end slavery. Anna Ella Carroll was an advisor to President Lincoln.
"Preeminently, she was someone who was responsible for keeping Maryland part of the Union," explains Father Dunlap.
Many believe Anna Carroll was part of Lincoln's cabinet.
"There's a famous painting of Lincoln and his cabinet and there's an empty chair but, because of her sex she wasn't allowed to be in the picture." says the Father.
There's some evidence Harriet Tubman worshiped here.
"The local story is that Harriet Tubman's owner was a parishioner of this church," says Father Dunlap.
The Old Trinity Church is only 38 feet long by 20 feet wide. But, it's history is huge. Long before the Declaration of Independence was written people gathered here to worship. It's a living testament to Americans' faith.
"This church has witnessed every up and down, every trial every tribulation, every victory, every period of jubilation. Every presidential election that this country has ever seen," says Father Dunlap.
