Grace History
Grace Church Family Celebrating 143 years of Ministry
"We Are Laborers in Your Vineyard
Declaring the Word of the Lord!"
(Matthew 9:37-38)
"We Are Laborers in Your Vineyard
Declaring the Word of the Lord!"
(Matthew 9:37-38)
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Matthew 28:19-20
Our Mission: "Make Christ Known"
and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Matthew 28:19-20
Our Mission: "Make Christ Known"
The Beginning On October 12, 1880, seventy-three members withdrew from the Madison Street Presbyterian Church and, under the leadership of the Rev. Charles Hedges (1880-1891) founded Grace Presbyterian Church. During the first years of its existence services were held in a building known as Linden Hall, located on the southwest corner of Hoffman Street and Linden Avenue.
One year later
The fledgling congregation purchased property located at Dolphin and Etting Streets. Worship began in this edifice and continued uninterrupted for ninety years. During this period the church was led by the Rev. Frank Eggleston (1891-1908), the Rev. William Edward Williams (1908-1916), and the Rev. John Thomas Colbert whose long and distinguished career spanned the thirty-five year period between 1917 and his death on August 4, 1952.
On June 7,1953 The Rev. Robert Thomas Newbold, Jr. assumed the pastorate of Grace Church. Under Rev. Newbold’s guidance, the congregation confronted the need for expansion and in 1966 property on Greenspring Ave and Banister Rd was purchased. When the property on Dolphin and Ettings Streets was sold two years later, the congregation worshiped in temporary quarters in the Masonic Temple located at 1307 Eutaw Place
In 1969 The Rev. William T Peters, Jr. accepted the call to leadership of Grace and devoted himself to the task of building a new church and of revitalizing the church in the areas of spiritual growth, working with young people and of mission to the wider community. A new church was built and the first service of worship at its present location was Sunday October 3, 1971. On June 16, 1985 Rev. Peters retired after seventeen years of fruitful and faithful service.
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In October, 1968Rev. Newbold relinquished his position of pastor to assume duties as Associate Executive Secretary of the General Assembly’s Department of Ministerial Relations. Moving Forward
Grace continued to move forward under the leadership of the Rev. Reginald J. Daniels who served as Interim Pastor from June 1985 until December 1986. On December 1, 1986, the Rev. Arthur St. A. Reynolds assumed the pastorate of Grace. Renovation and expansion of the edifice became one of his major tasks. Rev. Reynolds expressed sincere concern for people of all ages and felt that ministering to the sick and shut-in was of utmost importance. Rev. Reynolds retired on December 31, 2011 after twenty-five years of dedicated service to Grace.
Current Pastor In March 2012, Rev. Dr. Tanya S. Wade became Grace’s Temporary Supply Pastor and on June 9, 2013 she became the first female to pastor Grace. Under her spiritual guidance the ministry of the church has expanded to include more opportunities for youth and adults through the Summer Program, Wednesday Night JAM (Jesus and Me), JAM Singers (Community Choir), Evangelism Ministry, Word Up Drama Ministry, Dance Ministry, Leadership Development , Grace Puppet Ministry, Daily Week Day Bible Study and Prayer on Zoom, and much more...
Grace has come a long way since 1880. We honor our past and remain committed to the work so nobly begun. On this 143th Year truly..."We Are Laborers in God's Vineyard, Declaring the Word of the Lord!" |
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