First Presbyterian Church, Annapolis

First Presbyterian Church is a historic congregation founded on May 2, 1846. Its early history is linked to the growth of the community in the mid-nineteenth century, just one year after the U.S. Naval Academy was established. From the beginning, it served as a place of worship and a gathering point for local religious life, and it remains an active congregation today.

The building itself has an unusual past. The building was first constructed in 1828 as the Hallam Theatre. In 1847, the congregation purchased the former theater and converted it into a church. Its design follows a New England Georgian or Colonial style rather than Gothic Revival. The structure was later modified several times, including work on the facade and bell tower in 1874, the addition of the current steeple during an expansion in 1948, and the construction of an education building in 1958.

The church also holds an important place in Presbyterian history. In 1947, it was named the National Naval Memorial of the Presbyterian Church (USA), recognizing its long connection with naval service and military families. Today the church remains active, and visitors can notice both its historic architecture and its continuing role in community life.