About 1750 the inhabitants of the upper part of Queen Caroline Parish requested that a “chapel-of-ease” be built for them. It was decided to build the chapel at a place called Poplar Spring on part of a tract of land belonging to Mr. Levin Lawrence. The General Assembly at its session, May-June 1750, passed an Act authorizing the vestrymen and churchwardens of Queen Caroline Parish to purchase one acre of land in the aforementioned locality and to contract for the building of the proposed chapel (Arch. Md., XLVI, 480, 481). One acre of land was accordingly purchased (Anne Arundel County Land Records, Liber R.B. 3, p. 311). In June 1751 an agreement was made with William Fee to build the chapel, and about two years later, building was completed. From about 1780 to 1810 services were discontinued at this chapel, and it was used as a tobacco house. By 1810 only the frame of the building remained. In the spring of 1810, however, a new chapel was begun about two miles from the old one and it was hoped that it would be completed by the fall of 1810. Whether this chapel was ever built cannot be ascertained; no mention is made of it in any of the Convention Journals.

St. Paul's Church 1883 -
St. Paul's Church, its cornerstone bearing the date 1883, appears today much as it did in its beginning years. A simple frame in modified Gothic, its bell tower and steeple giving it both character and grace, it stands beside a magnificent oak tree even older than itself. The original parcel of land, called The Additional Defense and deeded to the Vestry of St. Paul's Church by Elias Green Selby and America M. Selby, was only one-half acre in extent. In later years the Church purchased an additional two acres of contiguous land.

It was due to the distance of Grace Church, New Market, and Mt. Calvary near Glenwood that the congregation was organized and a chapel started in 1883. The Reverend James Stephenson, then Rector of Grace Church, New Market (and Zion Parish), incorporated the congregations of Grace, Zion (Urbana), St. James (Mt. Airy), and St. Paul's into Linganore Parish. In 1960 the Parish of the Holy Apostles consisting of St. Paul's and St. James was formed, but twenty-one years later, in 1981, these two churches voted to unyoke and become independent of one another.

In his report for the convention held in May 1884, Dr. Stephenson wrote: "St. Paul's Church, Howard County, is nearly completed, and will be ready for occupancy in a month or two; the building is neat and church like with bell tower, and costs about $1500.

The third day of January 1885 Elias Green Selby and America M. Selby deeded to the Vestry of St. Paul's Church all that parcel of land lying in the Fourth District called The Additional Defense containing one-half acre of land. The Vestrymen were: Dr. Wilson W. Warfield, Elias Green Selby, Edward Russell, Cornelius Shafer, Robert Pue, James H. Steele, Dr. Somerset R. Waters, and Philemon Warfield.

There seems to be no reference to the consecration of this church in the reports of 1885 and 1886. But Bishop Paret in his record of official duties for September 24, 1886, includes: "St. Paul's Church, Poplar Springs, preached, confirmed one, addressed the congregation and administered Holy Communion."

Women have always played a dominant role at St. Paul's. An Altar Guild, later known as "The Guild", was organized by the ladies. Along with their altar duties many other tasks were performed: cleaning, building a fire in the wood stove, raising money, etc.

Mrs. Robert Pue was instrumental in getting 'kneelers' and a baptismal font from St. John's, Ellicott City. The font was replaced by the present one in 1960.

The first mention of St. Paul's in the Register of Linganore Parish is on page 28. "It was decided that the parish of St. James and that of St. Paul's be assessed $26.80 equally divided to make up the deficiency to the Diocese Missions." The Diocese assessment was $36.80. This meeting of the Vestry of Linganore Parish was held on May 23, 1907 at St. James Church.

In July 1907 each church was to be assessed $8.33 per month to be applied on the salary of the acting rector, Eugene Pearce. Also, envelopes at $2.00 were to be brought for distribution at the churches. The following year Rev. Eugene Pearce was duly elected rector at a regular meeting of the Vestry.

Bishop Murray visited St. Paul's on December 15, 1909 and Rev. Pearce presented several for confirmation; one was Emma Selby (Hammond). Her sister, Clementine, and one other were confirmed the next year.

November 1, 1911, Rev. Henry Saunders was selected as rector of Linganore Parish. His salary was $600 per year; St. Paul's share was $150. Vestrymen were Messrs. Ellicott, Mercier, Selby and Warfield.

The Rev. P. M. Boyden assumed the rectorship in 1913 and remained until his death in 1925. One member recalls how he would come from New Market on Saturday afternoon for the Guild meeting; spend the night at a parishioner's home, then have the service on Sunday morning.

A social event for the church families was the Silver Tea sponsored by the Guild. For nearly fifty years it was held in the late summer on the lawn of a church member, the last ones at Miss Pearl Mercier's. Picnic suppers, card parties and corn roasts replaced the teas.

Rev. Leon Vauthier became rector in 1933 and served the parish for twenty-three years, the longest tenure of any rector to date.

Through the years St. Paul's small congregation continued to hold together. The faithful few attended the Guild meetings and services twice a month. Then World War II was over and the community was changing; large farms changed ownership, more people moved into the area. Young families needed a Sunday School.

In the fall of 1951 the first church school was opened with eleven children, ages 3 to 5. Three years later the enrollment was over 60.

The summer of 1953 brought an associate rector, Rev. Victor Ross, to serve St. Paul's and St. James. For the first time services were held every Sunday. The congregation was increased with members from Mt. Calvary which had been closed for several years. Mrs. William Owings gave to St. Paul's the chalice, paten and altar linens used at Mt. Calvary.

1954 proved to be a record year. On February 28, St. Paul's was host to the junior class of Virginia Theological Seminary who conducted Morning Prayer with a congregation swelled to capacity. After a similar service at St. James they returned to the new Parish House for a delicious dinner prepared by members of the Guild.

Palm Sunday, April 11, Bishop Powell celebrated the Eucharist and dedicated the Parish House to the Glory of God.

Seminarian Robert Butehorn conducted the first vacation church school. This proved to be a valuable Christian experience for the children of the parish.

Another first was the Young Churchmen's Sunday on May 19, 1957.

In 1959 Rev. Herman diBrandi was elected rector. The new organ was dedicated in September. During his rectorship the church was redecorated with the Christus Rex Cross, the gift of Dr. and Mrs. James Thomas.

An independent parish was formed in 1960 and called Holy Apostles. The Rev. Robert Pegram came to the parish in August 1961 and remained until 1970. During his rectorship more land was purchased from Dr. and Mrs. William Trail. A bonus with this addition was the beautiful old oak tree. In 1967 he [Rev. Pegram] exchanged pulpits with Rev. R. B. Swift of England. This was a new and enjoyable experience for the congregation.

September 1970 brought another rector, Rev. William Workman, who was followed by Rev. John Sivley in 1973, under whose direction a day nursery was established.

At a parish meeting May 3, 1981 the congregation of St. Paul's and St. James voted to separate and become independent churches after nearly one hundred years.

On October 25, 1981, the Reverend Roger P. Butts was called as the first Vicar of St. Paul's as an Organized Mission. He revived a Thanksgiving Day Eucharist (first one November 26, 1953) and Christmas Day service (first one December 25, 1954), as well as two celebrations of the Holy Eucharist on Christmas Eve, the Burning of the Greens on the Feast of Epiphany, a Paschal Meal on Maundy Thursday, followed by the traditional stripping of the Altar and the Maundy Watch. In addition, on Easter Day, following the Eucharist, Father Butts began the tradition of having a champagne toast to celebrate the Lord's Resurrection and the blessing of the children's Easter Baskets.

Beginning in 1982, a seasonal schedule was instituted with winter services at 10 a.m. and summer services at 9 a.m. The Church was completely refurbished. A new church organ and new oak entrance doors were installed.

In celebration of St. Paul's centennial, on June 29, 1983, the Right Reverend A. Theodore Eastman, Bishop Coadjutor of the Diocese of Maryland, dedicated the new sanctuary furnishings and led the congregation in a Renewal of Baptismal Vows. Following the Holy Eucharist, the Church family celebrated St. Paul's one hundredth birthday with a festive meal. At this time members and friends signed a document thanking Almighty God for His continued service through St. Paul's to the community.

Priest's Who Have Served at St. Paul's Church (1883 - Present)

(1883-1960) Linganore Parish:
Zion Church, Urbana; Grace Church, New Market; St. Paul's, Poplar Springs; Saint James, Mt. Airy -

The Rev. James Stephenson, S.T.D. (1883-1891)

The Rev. David May (1893-1906) *

The Rev. Eugene S. Pearce (1909-1910) *

The Rev. Henry V. Saunders (1911) *

The Rev. Peter M. Boyden (1913-1925) *

The Rev. William E. Glenville, PhD (1927-1932) *

The Rev. Leon L.P.F. Vauthier (1933-1956) *

The Rev. Victor S. Ross, Jr. (1956-1958) *

(1960-1981) Parish Of The Holy Apostles:
St. Paul's, Poplar Springs; Saint James, Mt. Airy -

The Rev. Herman A. diBrandi (1959-1961)

The Rev. Robert B. Pegram (1961-1970) *

The Rev. William G. Workman (1970-1973)

The Rev. John H. Sivley (1973-1981) *

(1981-1985) Organized Mission:
St. Paul's, Poplar Springs -

The Rev. Roger P. Butts (1981-1985)

(1986-Present) Separate Congregation:
St. Paul's, Poplar Springs -

The Rev. R. Bolling Bryant (1986-1990)

The Rev. Paul S. Dawson (1991-1997)

The Rev. John E. Wilbur (2000-2004)

The Rev. Ann L. Boyd (2005- )

* denotes deceased

This history of the parish was first researched and prepared by Ruth B. Weller.