A Brief History of St. John’s Church

( As excerpted from “ The History of St. John’s Western Run Parish 1800-2000” By Margaret Worrall)

St. John’s Church, Parish of the Western Run, near Glyndon, Maryland was carved gently from St. Thomas’ Parish to the southat Garrison, Marylandin the years following the Revolutionary War. Records indicate that services were held by the Rector of St. Thomas’, the Rev. John Coleman, from 1800 to 1818 in a small frame schoolhouse opposite the present site at the corner of Butler & Perry Grove Roads. Determining that a sufficient number of communicants existed nearby, a group of prominent Worthington and Western Run Valley Episcopalians established a new church: St. John’s in the Valley. The cornerstone for the first church building was laid on June 3^rd, 1816 by Bishop James Kemp, just four short years after a fellow Baltimorean, Francis Scott Key, penned his poetic words while observing the British bombardment of Fort McHenry 25 miles to the south. The completed structure was consecrated by the same clergyman on November 13, 1818.

On Christmas Day 1867, St. John’s Church was completely destroyed by fire with only its steeple bell and cornerstone to be salvaged. In March 1869, the rector secured a plan from Joshua Shorb, a principle in the firm of Shorb & Leister in Westminster, Maryland, to rebuild the church at a cost of $9000. The cornerstone was re-laid on August 17^th, 1869 and services were held in the new sanctuary the following summer.

Today this splendid example of Gothic ecclesiastical architecture is a graceful landmark within the valleyed countryside of northern Baltimore County. The church building is complemented by its equally historic rectory, built in 1842, and a new Parish House which was consecrated by Philip Roulette upon his retirement after 28 years of service to St. John’s in 2003.  A recent survey of our parishioners proves what most first-time visitors to St. John’s would likely guess: the peaceful beauty of our church buildings, the glorious setting in which our campus rests, and the warmth and accessibility of our parish members are the dominant strengths of St. John’s.

The Rev Tracy Bruce, Rector, email: tracy.bruce@stjohnsglyndon.org

Laura Finney, Program Associate, email: laura@stjohnsglyndon.org

Sue Housel, Administrative Assistant, email:  sue.housel@stjohnsglyndon.org