Maximilian Godefroy
Encyclopedia
Maximilian Godefroy was an architect
born about 1770 in France. During the French Revolution
he fought on the Royalist side, was imprisoned in the fortress of Bellegarde, then released about 1805 and allowed to come to the United States. He later relocated to Baltimore
, Maryland
, where became an instructor in art and architecture at St. Mary's College, the Sulpician Seminary
.
While in Baltimore, he designed a number of structures including the St. Mary's Seminary Chapel
, the Battle Monument
, and the Unitarian Church
. Other projects included the Commercial and Farmers Bank (demolished), as well as gates and monuments in the Westminster churchyard, the sally port at Fort McHenry
, as well as submitting designs for the Washington Monument
. Godefroy became acquainted with Benjamin Henry Latrobe, and married Eliza Crawford Anderson
, whose father, Dr. John Crawford, was one of the founders of the College of Medicine of Maryland
. However, while working with Latrobe on the Baltimore Merchant's Exchange (demolished to make way for the U.S. Custom House in 1904), Godefroy and Latrobe fell out. Latrobe was to have contributed the overall design, while Godefroy was to execute the drawings and supervise construction. Godefroy changed the plans to reflect his own ideas. After parting company, Latrobe continued to credit Godefroy with the design for the front of the Exchange, and did not compete with him for the First Unitarian Church. Godefroy, however, blamed Latrobe for his inability to obtain work in Baltimore.
Godefroy left Baltimore in 1819 for England, his daughter dying of yellow fever
before the ship had cleared Chesapeake Bay
. He worked for a while in London, then moved on to France. Prior to his death in 1840 he designed a new wing to the Palais de Justice and the Préfecture, both at Laval, Mayenne
, France
.
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
born about 1770 in France. During the French Revolution
French Revolution
The French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
he fought on the Royalist side, was imprisoned in the fortress of Bellegarde, then released about 1805 and allowed to come to the United States. He later relocated to Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
, where became an instructor in art and architecture at St. Mary's College, the Sulpician Seminary
St. Mary's Seminary and University
St. Mary's Seminary and University is a Roman Catholic seminary in Baltimore, Maryland; it was the first seminary founded in the United States of America.-History:...
.
While in Baltimore, he designed a number of structures including the St. Mary's Seminary Chapel
St. Mary's Seminary Chapel
St. Mary's Seminary Chapel, located at 600 North Paca Street in Baltimore, Maryland, is the oldest Neo-Gothic style church in the United States. It was built from 1806 through 1808 by French architect Maximilian Godefroy for the Sulpician priests of St. Mary's Seminary. Godefroy claimed that his...
, the Battle Monument
Battle Monument
The Battle Monument, located on Calvert Street between Fayette and Lexington Streets in Baltimore, Maryland, commemorates the Battle of Baltimore and honors those who died during the month of September 1814 during the War of 1812...
, and the Unitarian Church
First Unitarian Church (Baltimore, Maryland)
The First Unitarian Church in Baltimore, Maryland was the first building erected for Unitarians in the United States. Completed in 1818, the church is a domed cube with a stucco exterior. The church, originally called the First Independent Church of Baltimore, is the oldest building continuously...
. Other projects included the Commercial and Farmers Bank (demolished), as well as gates and monuments in the Westminster churchyard, the sally port at Fort McHenry
Fort McHenry
Fort McHenry, in Baltimore, Maryland, is a star-shaped fort best known for its role in the War of 1812, when it successfully defended Baltimore Harbor from an attack by the British navy in Chesapeake Bay...
, as well as submitting designs for the Washington Monument
Washington Monument (Baltimore)
The Washington Monument in the elegant Mount Vernon neighborhood of Baltimore, Maryland was the first architectural monument planned to honor George Washington.-History:...
. Godefroy became acquainted with Benjamin Henry Latrobe, and married Eliza Crawford Anderson
Eliza Anderson Godefroy
Eliza Anderson Godefroy was most likely the first woman to edit a general-interest magazine in the United States. In 1806 and 1807, at the age of 26, she was the founder and editor of a Baltimore publication called The Observer....
, whose father, Dr. John Crawford, was one of the founders of the College of Medicine of Maryland
College of Medicine of Maryland
The College of Medicine of Maryland, or Davidge Hall, has been in continuous use for medical education since 1813, the oldest such structure in the United States . A wide pediment stands in front of a low, domed drum structure, which housed the anatomical theater...
. However, while working with Latrobe on the Baltimore Merchant's Exchange (demolished to make way for the U.S. Custom House in 1904), Godefroy and Latrobe fell out. Latrobe was to have contributed the overall design, while Godefroy was to execute the drawings and supervise construction. Godefroy changed the plans to reflect his own ideas. After parting company, Latrobe continued to credit Godefroy with the design for the front of the Exchange, and did not compete with him for the First Unitarian Church. Godefroy, however, blamed Latrobe for his inability to obtain work in Baltimore.
Godefroy left Baltimore in 1819 for England, his daughter dying of yellow fever
Yellow fever
Yellow fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic disease. The virus is a 40 to 50 nm enveloped RNA virus with positive sense of the Flaviviridae family....
before the ship had cleared Chesapeake Bay
Chesapeake Bay
The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States. It lies off the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by Maryland and Virginia. The Chesapeake Bay's drainage basin covers in the District of Columbia and parts of six states: New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and West...
. He worked for a while in London, then moved on to France. Prior to his death in 1840 he designed a new wing to the Palais de Justice and the Préfecture, both at Laval, Mayenne
Laval, Mayenne
Laval is a commune in the Mayenne department in north-western France.It lies on the threshold of Brittany and on the border between Normandy and Anjou. Its citizens are called Lavallois.-Geography:...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.
Selected works
- St. Mary's Seminary ChapelSt. Mary's Seminary ChapelSt. Mary's Seminary Chapel, located at 600 North Paca Street in Baltimore, Maryland, is the oldest Neo-Gothic style church in the United States. It was built from 1806 through 1808 by French architect Maximilian Godefroy for the Sulpician priests of St. Mary's Seminary. Godefroy claimed that his...
, Baltimore, Maryland (1806-08) - St. Thomas ChurchSt. Thomas Roman Catholic Church and Howard-Flaget HouseSt. Thomas Roman Catholic Church and Howard-Flaget House is a historic Roman Catholic church and home located at Bardstown, Nelson County, Kentucky. The church is a brick, cross-shaped plan with a round apse. It was designed by Baltimore architect Maximilian Godefroy and built 1813-1816. It...
, Bardstown, KentuckyBardstown, KentuckyAs of the census of 2010, there were 11,700 people, 4,712 households, and 2,949 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 5,113 housing units at an average density of...
(1813-16) - Battle MonumentBattle MonumentThe Battle Monument, located on Calvert Street between Fayette and Lexington Streets in Baltimore, Maryland, commemorates the Battle of Baltimore and honors those who died during the month of September 1814 during the War of 1812...
, Baltimore, Maryland (1815-25) - Merchants' Exchange Building (Baltimore, Maryland) (1816-1820, demolished 1904)
- First Unitarian ChurchFirst Unitarian Church (Baltimore, Maryland)The First Unitarian Church in Baltimore, Maryland was the first building erected for Unitarians in the United States. Completed in 1818, the church is a domed cube with a stucco exterior. The church, originally called the First Independent Church of Baltimore, is the oldest building continuously...
, Baltimore, Maryland (1818)
External links
- Battle Monument, Calvert Street, Baltimore, Independent City, MD: 5 photos and 12 data pages, at Historic American Building Survey
- First Unitarian Church, Franklin & Charles Streets, Baltimore, Independent City, MD: 12 photos and 1 data page, at Historic American Building Survey
- Howard & Redwood Streets (Commercial Building), Baltimore, Independent City, MD: 2 photos and 1 data page, at Historic American Building Survey
- Monument Square, North Calvert Street between Fayette & Lexington S, Baltimore, Independent City, MD: 12 photos, 29 data page, 2 photo caption pages, and 3 color transparencies at Historic American Building Survey
- St. Mary's Seminary Chapel, North Paca Street & Druid Hill Avenue, Baltimore, Independent City, MD: 17 drawings, 25 photos, and 10 data page at Historic American Building Survey
- St. Thomas Catholic Church, U.S. Route 31 East, Bardstown vicinity, Nelson County, KY: 7 drawings and 5 photos at Historic American Building Survey