Recent Finds Special Edition: Arms of St. Anne's Parish

Coat of arms of St. Anne's Episcopal Parish, Annapolis, MD
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

Founded in 1692, St. Anne's Episcopal Church located in Annapolis, Maryland proudly boasts more than 333 years of proclaiming the Gospel in North America and stands tall among the oldest houses of worship in the US.  There's loads of information online regarding St. Anne's history, so let's focus on its heraldry.

I want to especially thank Eric Fredland, the parish historian for St. Anne's Episcopal Church, for his corrections and insights regarding the parish arms.  

One of the more interesting coats of arms that I've discovered online during my search for corporate heraldry shaping the American tradition, are those of St. Anne's Parish.  These arms stand out boldly, much like a peacock.  Certainly not in a bad way, but rather unusual when compared to arms from its brother and sister parishes.  Then again, most of those faith communities have not been around for more than 300 years.  

The designer, a well educated cleric whose published extensively on American colonial Anglicanism, would abstractly combine parish history and its location to create these unique arms for St. Anne's.

St. Anne's banner led by the parish processional cross inside Washington National Cathedral
during an Acolyte Festival
Image Source: Washington National Cathedral Facebook page

The Rev. Canon Arthur Pierce Middleton (1916-2020) sounds like the perfect guest for a dinner party, given his wide range of life experiences.  Take a minute to read Bay Journal's article celebrating Middleton's life.  I wonder if its fair to say Middleton was living history?  One of his ancestors, after all, signed the Declaration of Independence.

Processional cross, St. Anne's Parish
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

According to Hjortsberg (2011), Middleton designed the coat of arms which St. Anne's formally adopted in November 1989.  The arms were created in anticipation of the parish's upcoming 300th anniversary celebration in 1992 (E. Fredland, personal communication, 12 May 2025).  Middleton found inspiration from the church's historical foundation which may explain the quarterings used from the arms of the Sovereign of England in his rendering.  

Furthermore, Hjortsberg (2011) notes that Middleton was well supplied with research assistance by Dr. A. Weems McFadden (1925-2010), a decorated US Naval officer and noted dermatologist.  The final product was a bespoke coat of arms reflecting the identity of St. Anne's, and altogether a highly researched design layered with meaning.  

Processional banner, St. Anne's Parish
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

The parish was founded during the reign of King William III and quarterings #1 and #2 reflect this special history.  Additionally, King William III gave St. Anne's Parish communion silver in 1695 which is still used today (E. Fredland, personal communication, 12 May 2025).  I dare say not a lot of parishes can tout such a royal gift.  Quarterings #3 and #4 are from the Calvert and Crossland arms used to identify Maryland.  

In summary, the quartered escutcheon abstractly identifies the owner as one who was founded during the reign of King William III of England and located in the Baltimore-Maryland region.  The chevron, ermine, and crown likely serve as sufficient differencing marks while reinforcing the parish's royal ties.  Another interesting fact is that Queen Anne provided a bell for the parish's original building (E. Fredland, personal communication, 12 May 2025).  

Shortened blazon for the arms of St. Anne's Parish in Annapolis, Maryland:  Quarterly; 1: France quartering Plantagenet (England); 2: Stuart (Scotland); 3: Calvert; 4: Crossland, overall on a chevron ermine an imperial crown proper.

Other arms found within Maryland illustrating various components of either Calvert or Crossland can be seen below.  

Examples of Episcopal Church arms incorporating elements from Calvert and Crossland
Click to enlarge
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

Top Row:  Episcopal Diocese of Maryland

Middle Row (L-R):  Trinity Cathedral, Easton and St. Augustine Parish, Chesapeake City

Bottom Row (L-R):  Emmanuel Church, Baltimore; St. Anne's Parish, Annapolis; Cathedral of the Incarnation, Baltimore

Pierre de Chaignon La Rose (1872-1941) designed the arms of the Diocese of Maryland and the Cathedral of the Incarnation.  Col. Harry D. Temple (1911-2004) produced arms for Trinity Cathedral in the Diocese of Easton and St. Augustine Parish.

Examples of Roman Catholic arms incorporating elements from Crossland
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024

The Archdiocese of Baltimore and Notre Dame University of Maryland are two Roman Catholic arms using elements of Crossland in their arms--both designed by la Rose.

Abstractly illustrating historical foundation, saintly dedication, and geographical location are critical elements when constructing new corporate arms.  To successfully combine these elements in the simplest and clearest manner possible, I am finding, demands practice and research.

The arms of St. Anne's Parish are a treasured example of sound heraldry in the Episcopal Church.    

Works Cited

Hjortsberg, Carol (ed.) (2011).  St. Anne's Annapolis: History and times, Vol. II.  St. Anne's Parish.