History was made in Maryland in 1634. The nearly 150 English settlers who arrived at what is now St. Mary’s City aboard the Ark and the Dove established far more than simply the fourth permanent English colony in North America. They forged what would become known as the birthplace of religious freedom in America. From its beginning Maryland practiced a very liberal policy concerning religious activities.

In 1704 the Governor ordered the chapel locked, ending the colony's experiment in religious freedom.