large historic maryland suburb past rooted 19th century america subsequent growth centuries closely paralleled nation political trends congregation split eve american civil war border state divided eventually reunited built church post world war era 1950s time reconciliation rapid growth mainline protestant denominations especially affluent suburbs member church currently number community outreach programs including child care center boy scout troop actively supports home mothers overseas missions habitat humanity projects congregation seat sanctuary built large building prominent foot landmark visible miles nearby baltimore interstate called beacon located lane interchange half mile west church land originally vast 18th century estate history beginning 1850s settled brothers william hamlet bearing remained farmland 1830s churches little inn tavern travelers york road wife described ardent methodist began holding prayer meetings mansion located half east present church site sunday school started private home near shop york road sparsely populated village called built tiny community church wooded location north east site previously powder magazine built prior british attack baltimore september war called square foot structure built stones salvaged arsenal led methodist episcopal minister dedicated opened public church service sunday november line methodist practice time rural areas circuit rider ministers travel horseback preach villagers designation county seat town began grow rapidly small chapel shared denominations 1870s increasing population spurred construction larger churches division separate churches 1860s 1950s methodist movement growing rapidly pre civil war america disputes slave holding rule church bishops resulting formal split groups faction favor giving church authority hierarchy bishops called took anti slavery stance north opposition formed united_states impending civil war nation 1850s local continued worship ended reed organ purchased sparking disagreement use musical instruments worship minority opposed idea joined southern leaning methodist protestant church withdrawing worship civil war methodist returned met separately sunday methodist church northern leaning methodist episcopal congregation continued civil war began building church nearby laying cornerstone august methodist episcopal neo gothic brick structure located york road present prospect hill cemetery block north intersection designed built cost seat church completed dedicated october eighty seven members soon found financial difficulties having gone heavily debt build new sanctuary chairman church building committee advanced personal funds complete construction embroiled years litigation church church drawing larger crowds pastor described excellent leader singing afternoon sunday school session particularly popular principally devoted learning new hymns attracted young people town especially young men noted account church held fifth anniversary celebration opened prayer piano concert favored beautiful selection sung said contemporary report methodist congregations remained estranged split groups come great revival joint services attended preaching power newspapers commented beginning 20th century increasingly large prosperous congregation added stained glass windows church including christ good shepherd new pipe organ installed second methodist church methodist protestant group continued use chapel built church seating persons corner avenues located heart near constructed stone slate roof bell tower merger methodist episcopal methodist protestant denominations methodist protestant churches known respectively reunited church 1950s present following branches second methodist church continued separate entities thirteen years end world war mainline protestant church attendance increased significantly early faced facilities fast inadequate burgeoning population postwar period boom modern commercial development core area starting displace older buildings churches formed joint committee evaluate merger committee recommended churches concluding properties second churches located close proximity identical objectives program methods work churches continue competition overlapping inevitable resources better serve community april ninety years churches split congregations finally voted reunite merging june adopting members methodist churches began plans construct larger building ample parking announced churches merged acres undeveloped land originally estate north planned alignment baltimore purchased soon groundbreaking ceremony held october construction new church completed service dedication held crowd attended ceremonies new sanctuary overflow persons watching closed circuit television lower level fellowship hall old structure adjacent avenue investment place abandoned eventually demolished illuminated display stained glass windows church located current building structure sold stands today building office development firm insurance agency chapel eventually meeting hall troops 1920s 1930s subsequently abandoned finally demolished way construction parking lot old department store store near present department store town center mall trace exists today historical marker placed near site designating cradle current adopted reflect merger year methodist evangelical united denominations sunday anniversary present sanctuary completion celebrated original dedication service current building facilities shaped structure main sanctuary north south axis designed architect completed church built red brick georgian architectural style prominent foot gold cross visible distance imposing facade cut stone pennsylvania foot high main capped curved stone inside sanctuary rear balcony accommodate thousand persons rows columns standing foot bases flank pulpit doors story east west wing classrooms offices chapel library featuring exhibit memorabilia historical artifacts archival records construction church cost equivalent million including expense land acquisition organ manual rank pipe organ pipes including seven ranks pipes tubular dedicated memory church minister music graduate union theological seminary renowned master sacred music degree program having earned degrees union studied organ addition serving church choral director professor organ died unexpectedly july complications following heart bypass surgery church library named memory succeeded graduate director music current director music july ordained minister studied music graduating bachelor_of_arts degree earned master degree world famous concert performed church organ include octave electronic bells installed tower june played organ console sunday services special occasions christmas eve traditional nationwide church bells fourth july hymns played daily music roll discontinued 1990s renovation expansion project midst million phased renovation expansion project started phase completed elevator additional facilities installed improved disabled accessibility new fire system replacement building climate control system additional classrooms expanded education wing planned future phases master plan adopted church help fund future works church announced plans january sell acres undeveloped wooded property owns lane construction senior citizen housing complex change application submitted officials allow sixteen residential units acre current limits density residential units acre total beds representing neighboring maryland residents said oppose changes allow higher density residential development require trees knocked pastor told entered shelter believing good use land good company needed service face community objections shelter church subsequently announced march development plans dropped shelter official said company jointly come conclusion going pursue pastor said clear weren going able reach compromise certainly don want war neighbors wake plan president told group wishes work find alternative use land commercial development don want church trying money april said church set sell land proposal came plans sell develop land ministry succeeding july miller grew pennsylvania graduated receiving religion studied theological seminary washington earning master degree maryland miller continued studies receiving doctor ministry degree chicago theological seminary later lead pastor church maryland named director serving role mission statement word god disciples jesus christ church staff includes assistant ministers directors music education building administrative personnel district addition sunday morning worship services member congregation graded sunday school classes adult bible study classes youth activities praise prayer healing service music program includes adult youth church voice ensemble high school age young people sings frequently weekly worship services tours eastern summer previous ministers senior pastor september june earned master degree theological seminary denver colorado son methodist minister churches including maryland official methodist senior ministers predecessor years appointment community outreach sponsors boy scout troop overseas missions house mothers actively habitat humanity projects years members group women supported meals wheels serving volunteers local hospitals thirty years church hosted weekly meeting large size sanctuary convenient location suited community gatherings attracting sizable crowds concerts baltimore church hosts annual memorial service fallen firefighters rescue personnel senior officials including fire chief participate service memorial laying bell commemoration nationally known guest speakers spoken started child care center serves approximately children ages years old
Towson United Methodist Church