Brown Memorial Presbyterian Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Brown Memorial Park Avenue Presbyterian Church |
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| Location | 1316 Park Avenue Baltimore, Maryland 21217 |
| Country |  United States |
| Denomination | Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) |
| History | |
| Dedicated | December 4, 1870 |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Hutton and Murdock (1870) Ralph Adams Cram (1931) |
| Style | Gothic Revival |
The Brown Memorial Park Avenue Presbyterian Church in Baltimore, Maryland, is a large, beautiful church. It was built in 1870 in a style called Gothic Revival. You can find it in the Bolton Hill neighborhood. The church is named after George Brown, a successful businessman from the 1800s.
This amazing church is famous for its stunning stained glass windows. These were made by the well-known artist Louis Comfort Tiffany. It also has a very tall, arched ceiling. Many interesting people have been part of its history. For example, Maltbie Babcock, who was a pastor there from 1887 to 1900, wrote the famous hymn This is My Father's World. Also, the talented concert organist Virgil Fox played the organ at Brown Memorial early in his career (1936–1946).
Baltimore Magazine called the church "one of the most significant buildings in this city, a treasure of art and architecture." This means it's a super important building, full of amazing art and design. The church had a big restoration project from 2001 to 2003. It is part of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) group of churches.
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History of Brown Memorial Church
The Brown Memorial Presbyterian Church building was officially opened on December 4, 1870. It was built to honor George Brown. He was a very successful businessman in Baltimore. He also helped start the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in 1827, which was one of America's first big railroads.
George Brown's wife, Isabella McLanahan Brown, gave a huge gift of $150,000 to build the church. This would be worth more than $4 million today! People described George Brown as a leader who deeply loved his church. The first pastor of the church was John Sparhawk Jones, who served from 1870 to 1884.
Pastors and Their Impact
From 1887 to 1900, Maltbie Babcock was the church's pastor. He was known as a fantastic speaker who connected with everyone. He was also very smart and inspiring. While at Brown, he helped raise money for Jewish people who were escaping trouble in Russia. He was also very popular with students at Johns Hopkins University. Under Babcock, the church bought more land for a chapel and Sunday School.
When Pastor Babcock decided to move to a church in New York City in 1900, many people in Baltimore wanted him to stay. He sadly passed away the next year at only 42 years old. A special service was held at Brown Memorial to remember him. A member of the church, James Albert Gary, helped raise $50,000 (about $1.4 million today) to build a new church in Babcock's memory. This new church, Babcock Memorial Presbyterian Church, was built on land owned by Brown Memorial.
Babcock's poem was published after he died. It became the well-known hymn, This is My Father's World.
The church building was made larger in 1905. More beautiful Tiffany windows were added during this time. In 1931, the current chancel (the area around the altar) was added. This was designed by the famous architect Ralph Adams Cram. A large 4-manual pipe organ was also installed then. T. Guthrie Speers was a popular minister from 1928 to 1957. He started programs to connect with Baltimore's Jewish community. He even sometimes traded places with local rabbis to preach.
John Middaugh was the minister from 1958 to 1968. He appeared on a TV show for ten years, discussing social and religious topics. He was also a leader in the Civil Rights Movement in the early 1960s. He even got arrested trying to make sure everyone could go to the Gwynn Oak Amusement Park, no matter their race.
Changes and Community Outreach
The church's membership grew to its highest point in 1952. But in the late 1950s, many people moved to the suburbs. Some church members decided to build a new church in the suburbs. Others wanted to stay at the Bolton Hill location. So, for a while, the church operated in two places with the same ministers.
In the early 1970s, the church started a tutoring program for neighborhood children. They also began a "Meals on Wheels" service. In 1980, the two church groups decided to become separate. The original Bolton Hill church became "Brown Memorial Park Avenue." The other church became "Brown Memorial Woodbrook."
The full list of senior ministers from 1870 to today is:
| Minister | Years of appointment |
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| John Sparlock Jones | 1870–1884 |
| Frank Wadeley Gunsaulus | 1885–1887 |
| Maltbie Babcock | 1887–1900 |
| John Timothy Stone | 1900–1909 |
| J. Ross Stevenson | 1909–1914 |
| John McDowell | 1915–1921 |
| G. A. Hulbert | 1921–1928 |
| T. Guthrie Speers | 1928–1957 |
| John Middaugh | 1958–1968 |
| Iain Wilson | 1968–1973 |
| Charles Ehrhardt | 1975–1980 |
| David Malone | 1980–1990 |
| Roger J. Gench | 1990–2002 |
| Andrew Foster Connors | 2004–present |
| Sources: Jane T. Swope, A History of Brown Memorial Presbyterian Church 1870–1995 and church website |
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Brown Memorial's Current Ministry
The current pastor of Brown Memorial Park Avenue Church is Andrew Connors. He has been the pastor since 2004. He studied at Duke University and Columbia Theological Seminary. He also won an award for his preaching.
Under Pastor Connors, the church continues to work on important social issues. This includes efforts for peace and helping to improve neighborhoods. They also support after-school programs for young people in Baltimore. Pastor Connors also helps lead talks between Jewish and Christian faith groups.
Music Ministry at Brown Memorial
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The current minister of music and organist is Michael Stefanek. He started in February 2024. Before him was Michael Britt, who studied music at the Peabody Conservatory. Another important music leader was Dr. John Walker. He is a world-famous concert organist. He was the minister of music from 2004 to 2011. He is now the Minister of Music Emeritus and still plays there sometimes.
Other famous organists include Virgil Fox. He became very well-known as a concert performer while at Brown Memorial from 1936 to 1946.
The church has a large Ernest M. Skinner pipe organ. It has 2,939 pipes! It was installed in 1931 and was restored between 2002 and 2005.
The church choir sings many different kinds of music. They perform works by classical composers like Mozart and Handel. They also sing spirituals and music by newer composers. The choir also performs larger musical pieces throughout the year.
Programs and Activities
Besides regular Sunday services, Brown Memorial Park Avenue Church hosts concerts, lectures, and study groups. The "Tiffany Series" offers high-quality classical concerts and features important speakers. For example, Marian Wright Edelman, who started the Children's Defense Fund, spoke there about helping children.
The church's motto is "Alive in the City and the World." Its members are involved in many community programs. For over 50 years, the church has run the Brown Memorial Tutoring Program. This program helps more than 75 children each week with one-on-one lessons. High school students from the church go on summer mission trips. They have traveled to places like El Salvador. The church also has a long-standing program with the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Here, youth and adults from Brown Memorial run summer learning camps for Lakota children.
Stained Glass Windows
The church has many stained glass windows. The ones made by Louis Comfort Tiffany in 1905 are especially beautiful. They are known for their bright colors and amazing depth. Baltimore City Paper called the church and its eleven Tiffany windows "the most magnificent interior space in Baltimore City." During a restoration project from 2001 to 2003, all the stained glass windows were carefully cleaned and repaired.
Here are some of the Tiffany windows:
- The Annunciation to the Shepherds – This window shows angels telling shepherds about the birth of Jesus.
- The Baptism of Christ – This shows Jesus with John the Baptist at the River Jordan.
- Christ Blessing the Children – Jesus holds a child whose face looks like a boy the window was made to remember.
- I am the Way – Jesus walks on stormy seas.
- Christ in Gethsemane – This shows Christ praying in the Garden of Gethsemane.
- If I Be Lifted Up – Christ is shown in the clouds, and His eyes seem to follow you.
- Lead, Kindly Light – A cross in the center glows brightly.
- The Holy City – This shows St. John's vision of the "New Jerusalem" from the Bible. It's one of the largest windows Tiffany Studios ever made. It honors Pastor Maltbie Babcock.
- Gabriel – Shows the archangel Gabriel in the clouds.
- John, the Visionary – Shows St. John in a red cloak.
- The New Creation – Located at the back of the church, it shows trees, mountains, and streams of "Living Water."
Some of the other beautiful windows in the church are:
- The young David – Shows the future Israelite king, made by Gorham Company.
- I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes – A landscape scene, also by Gorham Company.
- I Am the Vine – By Church Glass and Decorating Company.
- The Lord Is My Shepherd – By Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company and William Willet.
- Good Shepherd – By Wilbur Burnham.
Images for kids
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The Annunciation to the Shepherds, by Tiffany
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The Baptism of Christ, by Tiffany
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The New Creation, by Tiffany
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Interior details
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The Good Shepherd, by Wilbur Burnham, and the organ
