St. Mary’s purchases former Annapolis Area Christian School July 8, 2025By Gerry Jackson Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News A quarter century ago, St. Mary Parish in Annapolis underwent a dramatic expansion, building the St. John Neumann Mission Church. It is adding again to its footprint with the acquisition of a nine-acre parcel near its mission church. Founded by the Redemptorists in 1853, the parish’s main hub is in the state capital’s downtown area on Duke of Gloucester Street, where its campus includes a church, rectory and school. The parish now is expanding its footprint along Bestgate Road, not far from its high school’s athletic stadium and its larger worship facility at St. John Neumann. St. Mary purchased the home of Annapolis Area Christian School July 3 for $8.5 million. The property is less than a mile away from St. John Neumann and fronts Bestgate Road near the intersection of Admiral Drive. In a statement, Redemptorist Father Patrick Woods, pastor, said he believed it was “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that will help us advance the mission of our parish.” Father Woods noted in an earlier interview with Catholic Review that the parish was not looking for property when it became available, but its proximity to the parish was an attraction. “A lot of people came to me and said, ‘Father, this is a good opportunity,’” Father Woods said. “The first question is easy enough, ‘Do we want to buy it?’ The second question is a little tougher, ‘What do we do with it if we do buy it?” According to a listing by Rosso Commercial Real Estate, the former AACS property is 9.3 acres and features a 40,130-square foot, two-story facility with a gym and an academic building that includes 18 classrooms, a music room and a library. It also includes an athletic field. Possible uses for the space include an early learning/daycare center, school expansion and meeting spaces for the parish’s 70 ministries, Father Woods said, during the interview. “We have heard many different ideas about how the property could be used, and during the period which Annapolis Area Christian School continues to occupy the building, we will continue to explore how it can allow us to meet the needs of the parish community,” Father Woods said in a statement. Funding for the Bestgate Road property came from a combination of one-time donor gifts and parish reserve funds. A series of three information sessions with parishioners was held in March. “I am grateful for all of the parishioners who participated in this process and supported this decision. I look forward to continuing to engage with them as we decide its best use for the future of the parish,” Father Woods said. A recent capital campaign helped renovate the science wing of the parish’s high school and the second floor of its elementary school. More school renovations are planned this summer. Katie V. Jones contributed to this story. Email Gerry Jackson at gjackson@CatholicReview.org READ MORE: In new book, Annapolis historian delves into rich history of St. Mary parish – Catholic Review At Maryland conference, more than 800 Catholic men challenged to build ‘heroic friendships’ Weather concerns cancel March for Life, cause early dismissals Radio Interview: Pro-life deacons; Catholic Radio on WMET New rule affecting visas seen as ‘positive step’ by foreign-born priests Sister parishes unite congregations Father Norvel, first Black superior general for U.S. men’s religious community, dies at 90 Copyright © 2025 Catholic Review Media Print
