In the 1820's, a group of All Saints Episcopal Church members donated funds to establish an orphanage to support and educate needy children. In the 1940's, the community's need for the orphan house declined, so the orphanage was closed, and the sale proceeds were used to establish an educational fund. The board strives to award scholarships to Frederick County residents based on need and promise as they administer this fund. Historically, 10-15 awards, ranging from $500 to $2,500, have been given each year to one immediate family member at a time. Available only at the undergraduate level, these awards may be renewed by students reapplying each year while still an undergraduate student.
The Episcopal Free School
The School of Industry, later known as the Episcopal Free School was started in 1833. The Orphan House was an answer to rising needs in the community. It was incorporated in 1838. The Orphan House and Episcopal Free School continued to educate and help students until it closed in 1946. All Saints member, Louisa Potts, shared this history. The lady who donated the land for the Orphan House, Eleanor M. Potts, is Louisa’s great-great-grand aunt. Louisa acknowledges that the story is confusing at this point, as there were two Eleanor Potts: Eleanor Potts and her daughter, Eleanor M. Potts, who never married and was charitable in her giving. The history of the Orphan House also includes other Potts who who were board members. The Orphan House operated until 1946, at which time the building was sold. The original land, which was purchased for $1000, sold for $20,000 in November 1946. The money from that sale was invested and begun to be used for the Episcopal Orphan House Scholarship Fund. The original mission of Orphan House lives on by helping further the education of young people in Frederick County. Today, this operates as a 501c3 non-profit, separate from All Saints. Louisa Potts, whose mother was a previous president of the board, sits on the board of the Episcopal Orphan House Scholarship. Other members of All Saints that sit on the scholarship board include Jill Browning, Rixey Hoult, Tee Michael, and Lisha Utt. Members Peg McGreevy and Hunt Hendrickson also serve as directors for the board, providing legal and financial guidance.