Holding History in Our Hands at St. Anne’s

Jay Thomas, Terrie Hruzd, and Dave Fischvogt examine the markings on a silver chalice

While the U.S. celebrates its 250th anniversary this year, our story at St. Anne’s reaches back even further—to the 1690s, when 30 Anglican parishes were founded in colonial Maryland. As one of those founding parishes, St. Anne’s received a remarkable gift: a communion silver set from King William, symbolizing both honor and a deep connection to the English crown.

This past week, a team of St. Anne’s parishioners, organized by Jay Thomas, had the opportunity to carefully examine, handle, and photograph the King William silver. Their work is part of a larger effort to preserve, document, and interpret the historical objects that tell the story of St. Anne’s as a living place of worship—335 years and counting.

“What a wonderful experience to hold history in our hands.”
— Dave Fischvogt, St. Anne’s Archivist

While studying the sizable silver tankard, the team noticed a small ding in its base and wondered about the story behind it. I found that mark especially meaningful. It was a reminder that even sacred objects bear signs of use and time—and that, through faith, our own imperfections are made whole in the eyes of God.

St. Anne’s is deeply grateful to Jay Thomas (docent), Dave Fischvogt (archivist), Terrie Hruzd, Ginger DeLuca (Cemetery Committee Chair), and Laura Sullivan (photographer) for sharing their time and talents to help preserve and document the objects that form the enduring legacy of St. Anne’s on Church Circle.