We will wrap up our “Ancestors at Antietam” programs on November 7, with a special tour of the historic St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and the Woodley Farm. The program was arranged by Saida Russell and Rev. Dr. Brandt L. Montgomery.
Saida and her family own Woodley Farm which is on Sharpsburg Pike and just down a dirt lane from St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Lappans. Dr. Thomas J. Maddox, her great-great-great grandfather, was one of the founding fathers of the church. Woodley Farm has been in the family since before the Civil War and holds a protective agricultural easement with the state of Maryland.
Nestled in the scenic countryside at Lappans Crossroads, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church stands as a significant landmark, recognized on the National Register of Historic Places. The church has been in continual use since its construction in 1849, a testament to the vision of the leadership of Saint James School, who sought to provide worship services for the local faithful community. James Maddox, a respected physician and early church leader, played a pivotal role by donating an acre of land for the church’s construction.
The building was completed in just four months at a total cost of $1,385. Constructed from native limestone—a practical and locally favored material in Washington County—the church’s architecture embodies the influence of religious movements that advocated for a revival of the Gothic style within Anglican and Episcopal churches. This architectural choice reflected a broader movement to renew traditional religious practices.
The church features impressive 17-foot walls, a pitched gabled roof with a portico, and a steeple that commands attention. Inside, many of the original furnishings remain intact, including a gallery that was specifically intended for enslaved worshippers. This gallery is still accessible to visitors, offering a tangible connection to the church’s historical narrative. The interior is further distinguished by a soaring ceiling supported by Gothic-arched framing.
The picturesque setting of St. Mark’s is enhanced by a stone wall that now encloses both the church and its cemetery. As a parish, St. Mark’s is committed to uplifting African American stories that are integral to its history. During the Civil War, the church served a crucial role, especially in the aftermath of the 1862 Battle of Antietam and the 1863 Battle of Gettysburg, when it became a sanctuary for the wounded—many of whom received care from Dr. Maddox.
The Rev. Dr. Brandt L. Montgomery has served as Vicar of St. Mark’s Church since May 2023. In addition to his role at St. Mark’s, he has been Chaplain at Saint James School in Hagerstown, Maryland, since August 2019. Before his current position, Fr. Montgomery was affiliated with the Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Lafayette, Louisiana, and began his ordained ministry at Canterbury Episcopal Chapel, University of Alabama. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University of Montevallo, a Master of Divinity from The General Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from the University of the South. At St. Mark’s, Fr. Montgomery is dedicated to preserving the historic legacy of the church, chairs its Capital Campaign, and continues to teach and serve in various roles at Saint James School.
Saida Alexander Russell is a native of Charleston, South Carolina, and a part-time resident of Washington County, Maryland. Her family owns Woodley Farm, a historic property near St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Lappans, which has been in the family since before the Civil War and is protected by an agricultural easement with the state of Maryland. Saida Russell holds a bachelor’s degree from Duke University and a master’s in social work from the University of South Carolina. She served seven years on active duty in the United States Navy Supply Corps, with assignments in Iceland, Spain, and California, and retired from the Navy Reserve as a Commander. Her professional experience includes residential real estate with Disher, Hamrick, and Myers in Charleston, as well as roles in nonprofit fundraising, grant writing, and administration. Active in her church and several social and literary organizations, Saida Russell enjoys traveling, reading, yoga, and entertaining. She and her husband have two adult sons and a Boykin spaniel. Since 2023, Saida Russell has volunteered with St. Mark’s Church, Lappans, contributing to the success of its Capital Campaign, which has raised over $200,000 in grants and gifts to preserve the historic church.
These monthly “Ancestors at Antietam” talks are free and open to the public – anyone may attend – and you do not need to register. This final program will be held at St. Mark’s at 18313 Lappans Road Boonsboro, Maryland 21713, beginning at 2 pm. Turn right at the Parish House and continue towards the back of the campus for a large parking lot.
