Paul's church, which was formerly included in the parochial limits of St Anns, was on the 30th of May, 1S53, erected into a separate parish.
Church work was begun at this point by the Rev. A. B. Carter, Rector of St. Ann's, MoiTisania, The congregation was duly organized by Mr. Carter, as a Chapel of St. Ann's, July 8th, 1S49. On Sept. 15th, of the same year, the corner-stone of the chapel was laid by the Rt. Rev. W. R. Whittingham, Bishop of Maryland. The chapel was opened for Divine Service on Easter Day, March 31st, 1850; and was consecrated by Bishop Whittingliam, June 2 2d, 1S50. The chapel stands on a plot of ground containing one acre, and bounded by two of the principal avenues, having a front on each of nearly 150 feet. The building itself was, and is still, a simple frame gothic structure, with open roof 80x30, including chancel and tower.
On the 31st day of May, 1S53, the connection of St. Paul's chapel with the mother church, St. Ann's, v,-as severed and a new parish organized under the title of St. Paul's, Morrisania Village. On the first day - of September in the same year, the Rev. Benjamin Akerly was called asthe first Rector. Up to this time tlic services had been maintained by
498 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF \VESTCHF.STER.
Rev. A. B. Carter and Rev. J. Pinckney Hammond, Rectors of St. /Viin's. TI1C Rev. Mr. Akerly continued Rector of the neu- parish, tii! some time in 1857 or 185S. During his Rectorship, a commodious Rectory was built on the church grounds.