In the second half of the 20th century, Memorial Church began in earnest its transformation from a tradition-bound, rather conservative neighborhood church to one that was (and still is) progressive, diverse, and committed to social outreach. The burning issues of the day included race relations, the anti-war effort, improved opportunities for women, assistance for the poor and elderly, youth advocacy, and urban renewal. The parish became involved in all of these issues. Memorial became known in the community for its activism and outreach.
In December 1859, a group of men at Emmanuel Chapel in Mount Vernon, then Baltimore's most fashionable neighborhood, met for the purpose of establishing a mission in Bolton Hill, a horse car suburb on the rural fringe of the fast growing city. The Reverend Charles Ridgely Howard, the first rector, presided as the founders laid the cornerstone on July 3, 1860, before any houses stood on the block. Unfortunately, because of the rector's unexpected death and the uncertainties of war, the building was not open for services until June 12, 1864, when the newly ordained Reverend Osbourne Ingle presided. The wartime Vestry was unable to raise the funds for the planned steeple, and so the building stands to this day, without a steeple.
During the parish’s first eighteen years, no rector served longer than five years, but The Reverend George Peterkin (1873-1878) did manage to unite the vestry and steady the finances. In sharp contrast to the tenure of the early rectors, Dr. William Meade Dame, a Virginian who had served in the war, arrived in 1878 and remained at Memorial until his death in January 1923.
Under Dr. Dame’s inspiring leadership, a rectory was acquired, a second floor was added to the parish hall, and numerous improvements were made to the main floor of the church. New programs abounded, and new forms of outreach began. Dr. Dame’s leadership style continued for four more years through his son, Dr. William Page Dame, who after being associate rector, was called to be rector on the death of his father. The later Dame’s daughter, and granddaughter, Josephine and Jodie deButts still worship with us to this day.
Through the Depression and World War II, while Dr. Benjamin B. Lovett and the Reverend Boyd Roberts Howarth were rectors, the parish formed a nonsectarian neighborhood relief association, served breakfast to service men, and allowed the parish house to be used as an air-raid shelter. The parish grew an prospered immediately following World War II, but by 1952 when the Vestry selected the Reverend Arthur C. Kelsey as rector, the congregation was aging, and the slum-like conditions along Linden Avenue, just one block west of the church, worried many longtime residents. Mr. Kelsey made efforts to revitalize the parish. He helped organize the first Bolton Street Festival (now called the Festival on the Hill), and he was the first rector to propose that the parish become involved in building housing for the elderly in the neighborhood. Nevertheless, dissension regarding outreach caused both him and his assistant, the Reverend Sam hale, to resign in 1956.
During the tenure of the next rector, the Reverend John R. Cooper, Baltimore City began demolition along Linden Avenue, allowing for the erection of new, private market townhouses and for the construction of Memorial Apartments, a cooperative effort between the parish and the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development. Looking back, 1967 was a momentous year, as it marked both the opening of Memorial Apartments and the election of Mrs. Randolph Dame, the first woman on the Vestry. Important in its own right, the election of a woman to the Vestry was but a dim preface to many other great milestones.
The parish was divided between those looking to the past and those looking to the future, and when Mr. Cooper resigned in 1968, there was real concern over the survival of the parish. Led by several of the women in the parish and by one of its younger members, Richard Roszel, the Vestry decided to move ahead with the search, not even sure where the money would be found. Several candidates were interviewed, but none was selected. Eventually, Mr. Roszel contacted the Reverend Sam hale who had left Memorial in 1956. Mr. Hale urged a young ‘northerner’ the Reverend F. Lyman Farnham, to be interviewed. Impressed by his imagination and youthful energy as well as his success in reviving an older parish in Horseheads, New York, the Vestry invited him to become rector. Since there was little money in the parish accounts, the lay leaders knew they would have to work hard just to cover his salary for the first year.
The Farnhams moved into the rectory in 1969 while the physical plant was in poor repair. Despite floods, a leaky roof, dangerous wiring and many other problems in the church, Barney Farnham’s youthful optimism and commitment to progressive social action were clearly demonstrated. He started a Sunday morning experimental Eucharist, followed by a discussion group. He encouraged the expansion of social activities through the parish social club. In addition he personally recruited people he met in the neighborhood, inviting them to become part of a revitalized Memorial Church. His young and growing family helped contribute vibrancy and new life to the parish.
Memorial Church began in earnest its transformation from a tradition-bound, rather conservative, neighborhood church to one that was (and still is) progressive, diverse, and committed to social outreach. The burning issues of the day included race relations, the anti-war effort, improved opportunities for women, assistance for the poor and elderly, youth advocacy, and urban renewal. The parish became involved in all of these issues. Memorial became known in the community for its activism and outreach.
During the 1970s new liturgical elements were introduced into the traditional service and under Barney’s leadership, a food pantry, a breakfast program for the poor, a counseling center, an ecumenical church school, a weekly youth talk-in, and an alternative day school all began. The parish attended an annual spiritual renewal weekend, several weekday Eucharists, and learned how to make holiday services special.
The changes continued, with Memorial developing new opportunities for women in the church. Women began as acolytes and lay chalicists, and Memorial became an attractive place for women and men struggling with a call to the ordained ministry, especially after 1979, when the church hired as assistant rector the Reverend Phebe Coe, the first woman to be ordained a priest in the Diocese of Maryland.
The later 1980s and the 1990s offered new challenges and opportunities. The Samaritan Community grew and developed a level of independence by gaining its own 501(c)3 status. As a result of successful DOCC (Disciples of Christ in Community) program, the parish started a Monday evening education program. The church school adopted the Godly Play and Rite 13 curricula. Listening Hearts Ministries, an outgrowth of the parish, expanded its ministry nationwide, and outreach increased both through an AIDS Healing service and through work with the Eutaw Marshburn Elementary School. And after 29 years of dedicated service, The Reverend F. Lyman Farnham and his wife Suzanne, retired from Memorial in 1998.
In August of 2000, The Reverend Martha N. Macgill moved with her family from South Africa where she had been priest-in-charge of a parish for several years. A native of Alexandria, Virginia, she was excited to move back to the States. Her commitment to the social issues of our day has been strong as well. Martha is dedicated to urban ministry in this neighborhood including healing its wounds from the racism that still exists. She is working across denominational and political divisions to bring about the reign of God here on earth and set a vision for this parish for many years to come.
In June of 2001, Memorial was once again a force for constructive change with the Diocese of Maryland. The rector and vestry called The Reverend T. Stewart Lucas to be the Assistant to the Rector. Stewart had recently graduated from Virginia Theological Seminary and moved to Baltimore with his partner. In January of 2002, he was the first openly gay man to be ordained to the priesthood in the Diocese of Maryland. Stewart’s duties include working Christian Education and Formation for all ages as well as the Acolytes and Newcomers. He and Martha share the preaching, liturgical, and pastoral care duties.
Looking back, it seems certain that the Memorial Church of today would surprise many of those first parishioners of the 1860s and 1870s. They probably would not approve of some of the changes. However, society in general and our city in particular have changed a great deal in 140 years. Memorial had to transform itself, and we can be both thankful and proud that our predecessors had the courage to adapt. We think that the founders would unhesitatingly appreciate the strong sense of fellowship and the shared joy of our faith that are today the hallmarks of Memorial Episcopal Church.