The Havre de Grace United Methodist Church has stood at the corner of South Union and Congress avenues for more than a century, a stone-and-stained-glass landmark in the small city of Havre de Grace on the upper Chesapeake Bay. The cornerstone was laid in 1901, and the building has gathered disciples of Jesus Christ ever since. The congregation describes its mission as learning and growing as followers of Jesus Christ to serve others and transform lives "here, across the street and around the world," and that three-tiered geography shows up in everything from Sunday School classes to soup-kitchen shifts.
More Than a Century on the Corner
The church building itself is part of the story. A virtual historic tour and a separate look at the stained glass windows walk visitors through the sanctuary's past. Members speak of the building as a community cornerstone, and the congregation's identity is closely tied to its long presence at this intersection. Long-time members and newcomers alike share the same stone walls, the same wooden pews, and the same Sunday-morning light through the windows.
Sunday Worship: Two Services, One Family
The Sunday rhythm centers on three gatherings. An informal service opens the day at 8:15 a.m., followed by Sunday School for all ages at 9:45 a.m., and a traditional service at 11:00 a.m. On months with a fifth Sunday, the whole congregation comes together for a combined service at 10:00 a.m., and Sunday School steps aside so that everyone can worship in one room.
A church nursery is open during both the 8:15 and 11:00 services for parents who want to bring their children along. A television in the nursery lets parents follow along with the service as their children play.
Pastor Laurie Pierce Tingley leads the congregation, supported by a Music Director and a worship team that handles the many details that shape the liturgical seasons.
Music that Fills the Sanctuary
Music is woven through every worship service, helping the congregation express praise and thanksgiving. The Chancel Choir rehearses on Thursdays at 7:00 p.m., and the Hallelujah Handbell Choir rehearses on Mondays at 6:00 p.m. Children join in singing during Sunday School. Anyone who wants to offer voice or instrument is invited to reach out, and the Music Director will share more about joining.
Christian Education for Every Stage
Sunday School classes meet at 9:45 a.m. on Sunday mornings and run from pre-kindergarten through adulthood. New students are welcome to join at any point during the year, and a registration form is available for families who want to sign up. Vacation Bible School is offered each summer, with details shared in advance. A small-group curriculum called Discipleship Fast Track is also part of the Christian Education work.
Small Groups that Shape the Week
The congregation gathers in several smaller circles, each with its own character.
The United Methodist Men welcome all men of the church for monthly breakfasts, shared devotions, and hands-on volunteer work, from serving meals to supporting local outreach programs.
The Ruth Jessup Circle is a women's group whose purpose is to know God and experience freedom as whole persons through love in action. Members serve local communities, and an annual cookie sale raises funds for scholarships.
Hands of Grace is a crafting ministry that crochets and knits prayer shawls, baby blankets, and winter scarves. Shawls go to people who are ill and to Kairos Outside events; baby blankets are given at baptisms; and scarves are shared with Grace Place and the local elementary schools at Christmas. The group meets at 10:00 a.m. on the second and fourth Fridays at Concord Point Coffee Shop, both for fellowship and to work on projects from home.
The Prayer Circle has met weekly since 1939, when Mrs. G. Cromwell, wife of the pastor at the start of World War II, organized it to pray for service men and women. Today the circle continues to pray for spiritual needs and health, sending get-well cards and sympathy cards to those on the prayer list.
GriefShare offers an 11-to-13-week small group for those grieving a loss. Sessions meet on Tuesdays from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and the program is open to the community at no charge, with new participants welcome as the group continues.
Across the Street and Around the World
Missions are central to the congregation's identity. The Missions Team supports outreach both financially and through hands-on service.
Locally, members pack lunches at the Hope Center of Maryland, prepare dinner at the Harford Family House Emergency Shelter, and host the Emergency Rotating Shelter. They fix lunches at Grace Place for neighbors facing food insecurity, and they take part in the Angel Tree program, loading stockings with donated gifts so Havre de Grace students and their families can have a Merry Christmas. An Epiphany Celebration is another community tradition. Financial support also extends to mission work beyond Havre de Grace.
Hospitality and Fellowship
The Hospitality and Fellowship Committee plans gatherings where members can meet one another and welcome newcomers. The annual church picnic, shared meals, and other events give the congregation regular chances to relax together and to invite neighbors into the life of the church.
Joining from Home
For those who cannot attend in person, services are livestreamed each week on YouTube and Facebook, so the congregation can be reached from a hospital room, a vacation, or a living room across the country. Online giving is also available.
The Havre de Grace United Methodist Church sits at the same corner where its cornerstone was laid in 1901, and the work that began there continues each Sunday, each small-group meeting, and each meal packed for a neighbor in need.