All Faith Chapel

St. John's Chapel - circa 1884

 

A Brief HIstory

In 1692, St. Michaels Parish was created by the Church of England as the parish church for St.Michaels.

Roads were poor and there was no bridge over the Miles River, so church attendance for those living outside St. Michaels was difficult at best.  Dundee Chapel (built in 1720) was the first chapel of ease of St. Michael's Parish, built for the convenience of those who lived on Miles River Neck. It stood near the present-day Todds Corner and Unionville Road near Higgs' Branch (now Church Creek).  Dundee Chapel gradually fell into disrepair, and in 1779 its "ornaments" were removed and stored.

In 1834, the vestry sought to build a new chapel at Miles river Ferry (near the present bridge). The new chapel, built of stone and brick was consecrated as St. John's Chapel in1839.

In 1881, Miles River Parish was separated from St. Michaels Parish.  During the severe winter of 1884, worship began in the former general store at our present site in Tunis Mills. 

In 1892, a portion of the east wall and roof of St. John's caved in rendering it unusable and it was abandoned. Services at that location ceased, and services continued in the vacant store in Tunis Mills. St. John's is still a picturesque ruin at the bridge.

In 1929, the former general store was moved back on the lot and became the parish hall. A finer place of worship (All Faith Chapel) was erected at the front of the property on Tunis Mills Road.

The pot belly stove and kerosene lamps are gone, but the chapel's appearance has changed little over the years.  The pews are those from "the vacant general store," and the baptismal font is from St. John's at the Miles River Bridge.

Won't you come and be part of our small, historic worship group and share our long history of community service?

All Faith Chapel - Altar