St. Paul's United Church of Christ sits on Bond Street in downtown Westminster, Maryland, in the heart of Carroll County. Founded in 1870 by a small group of 25 members who built a building large enough to seat more than 220, it has grown into one of the county's most distinctive congregations, known for being progressive, Open and Affirming to LGBTQIA+ people, committed to becoming an anti-racist church, and recognized as a W.I.S.E. congregation for mental health. Its ministries reach well beyond the sanctuary walls, with a Thursday community meal that has run for more than thirty years, music programs that draw on a 1941 Moller organ, and partnerships with organizations across the region.
A Story of Audacity in Downtown Westminster
The history of St. Paul's is, at its core, a story of audacity. Just after the Civil War ended, in 1870, a small group of 25 members committed themselves to becoming a religious presence in downtown Westminster, and they built a church that could accommodate well over 220 people. The congregation has grown into the building over more than 150 years. In the 1950s, Fellowship Hall was added, and a recent major renovation and construction project made the entire facility handicap accessible.
The congregation was initially established as part of the German Reformed Church in the United States. In 1934, the German Reformed Church merged with the German Evangelical Synod in North America, forming the Evangelical and Reformed Church. In 1957, that body merged with the Congregational Christian Churches, and the result was the United Church of Christ, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in June 2007. St. Paul's carries that heritage forward as part of a denomination known for firsts: the first woman pastor, the first African-American pastor, the first school for the deaf, the first ordained openly gay minister, and the first integrated anti-slavery society in American religious history.
Throughout its history, St. Paul's has remained attentive to matters of social justice. On September 7, 2008, the congregation became the first church in Carroll County to officially declare itself Open and Affirming to LGBTQIA+ people, and it remains the only mainline Christian church in the county where same-sex couples can wed. In 2018, the church adopted the United Church of Christ's covenant to be Welcoming, Inclusive, Supportive, and Engaged with mental illness, brain injury, and substance abuse, a designation known as W.I.S.E. In recent years, the congregation has also committed to becoming anti-racist.
The Weekly Gathering on Sunday at 10 AM
Worship at St. Paul's centers on a single Sunday gathering held at 10:00 AM, offered both in person in the sanctuary and on Zoom. The service combines traditional and blended elements, with music led by the Sanctuary Choir and accompanied by the historic Moller organ, congregational singing, scripture readings, prayer, and a sermon. Members of the congregation are encouraged to provide special music in solos or small ensembles, either vocally or instrumentally.
Anyone who wishes to join from home can connect through the church's Zoom link, and a weekly email newsletter called TidBits keeps members and friends informed about upcoming worship, programs, and opportunities to serve. Visitors are welcomed with the words that greet everyone who walks through the doors: "No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here."
Open and Affirming, Anti-Racist, and W.I.S.E.
Three commitments shape the identity of St. Paul's and give shape to nearly everything the church does.
Open and Affirming
St. Paul's is called to be an Open and Affirming congregation to all LGBTQ+ people. The congregation believes that every person is a child of God, made in God's image, loved by God, and invested with dignity and worth, and that discipleship requires welcoming others as Christ welcomes us, citing Romans 15:7. The church enthusiastically partners with PFLAG and hosts First Fridays for LGBTQIA+ youth, a safe space for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and allied youth, along with other Pride events throughout the year.
Anti-Racism
St. Paul's holds that systemic racism strikes at the heart of God's commandment to love our neighbor, jeopardizes the Beloved Community, and diminishes God's vision for the world. United in love for God and neighbor, the congregation has committed to becoming an anti-racist church, working toward racial equity and justice in its own community, in the life and culture of Carroll County, and beyond. Members join with local and national organizations including the NAACP, the Coalition Against Prejudice, Carroll Citizens for Racial Equality, and the Equal Justice Initiative, and engage in advocacy for social justice policies and practices throughout the county. An Anti-Racism Leadership Team, an Anti-Racism Visual Renewal group, and Anti-Racism Pen Pals are among the volunteer teams that keep this work moving.
W.I.S.E. for Mental Health
Since 2019, St. Paul's has adopted the United Church of Christ's calling to be Welcoming, Inclusive, Supportive, and Engaged for mental health. Because many people with mental illness, brain injuries, or substance addictions do not share their stories with others, they and their families are often not included in the network of care that congregations normally extend to members who are ill. St. Paul's commits to welcome, include, support, and engage with people with mental illness, substance abuse, and brain disorders. The church makes its space available for a wide range of support groups, including Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Al-Anon, NAMI, yoga, and others.
Music as an Integral Part of Worship
Music is described as an integral and important part of the worship experience at St. Paul's. The Sanctuary Choir provides music during services, with members of the choir and congregation also contributing special music as solos or small ensembles.
The handbell program includes two choirs, including Belle Grove Legato, a joint ensemble with Westminster Church of the Brethren. A second group, the Rainbow Ringers, rounds out the ringing program.
Behind it all stands the St. Paul's Moller Organ, built in 1941 by the former M.P. Moller Organ Factory in Hagerstown, Maryland. The instrument consists of four divisions - Great, Swell, Choir, and Pedal - virtually four organs in one, housed in two chambers on either side of the balcony. The music staff is led by Director of Music Ronald Douglass, alongside musicians Jo Morrison, Jane McIlvain, and Bob Frazee. Anyone interested in joining the music ministry can reach the director through the music office email listed on the church's music page.
A Meal and More and the Wider Outreach Network
One of the most visible ministries of St. Paul's is A Meal and More, an ongoing ministry now over thirty years old that provides food for people living with food insecurity or simply in need of nourishment and nurture. Volunteers bring food according to a weekly menu, prepare and serve the meal, set up and clean up, and welcome guests on Thursdays from about 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The ministry is one of the most active volunteer commitments in the congregation.
Other ongoing ministries include:
- Care4People, a volunteer group that collects items for homeless neighbors living outside, working directly with Human Services Programs of Carroll County to identify needs and distribute them appropriately.
- CarrollBaby, an initiative dedicated to providing a reliable supply of diapers, wipes, and hygiene items to families in need. St. Paul's serves as a drop site for these items.
- The Little Free Pantry, placed on the alley next to the parking lot exit in collaboration with the Coalition Against Prejudice, providing constant access to food and other necessary items, with a stand for fresh produce.
- A Monthly Shelter Meal, served in partnership with PFLAG and other St. Paul's volunteers on the first Sunday at the Night-by-Night Shelter.
- Yoga and Reiki, with regular yoga classes and reiki sessions held in the room next to the Chapel.
- The Mouse Shoppe, a community collection of items for sale in support of the church's general fund.
Beyond its own programs, St. Paul's maintains a wide network of partnerships with organizations across Carroll County and beyond, including Access Carroll, Carroll Food Sunday, Green Valley Samaritans, Heifer International, Human Services Programs of Carroll County, the Moravian University School of Theology, On Our Own of Carroll County, Quechua Benefit, Shepherd's Staff, the UCC Open and Affirming Coalition, the UCC Mental Health Network, and the Westminster Rescue Mission. Members are encouraged to support these efforts through financial giving, volunteer time, and advocacy.
Christian Education for Every Age
Christian education at St. Paul's is structured around the whole life of the congregation.
- Nursery and Preschool: Preschool Zoom is offered at 4:30 PM on Sundays, giving the youngest children a place to begin learning the stories of faith.
- Children: Religious education is open to all children from first grade through fifth grade.
- Youth: Religious education is open to all students from middle school through high school, with activities designed to engage young people in questions of faith, justice, and community.
- Seekers: A topic-based small group for those who have more questions than answers, exploring faith in open and non-dogmatic conversation. Seekers welcomes anyone, no matter where they are on the journey.
The Director of Children's and Youth Education can be reached through the Christian Education office to learn more about programming, schedules, and how to enroll children and youth.
The Building as a Community Resource
St. Paul's is more than a building; it is part of the community. The church hosts numerous weekly meetings and special events, including the support groups, yoga classes, and community meals described above. Groups interested in renting the facilities are invited to submit a request through the church's online form, and a member of the team responds promptly. The major renovation and construction project that brought the entire facility into handicap accessibility ensures that the building can welcome people of all mobility levels.
The Sanctuary Choir, the Bell Choirs, and various ensembles, bands, and soloists practice and perform in the building, while the historic Moller organ continues to anchor the worship tradition of the congregation. Members also gather for spaghetti dinners and other fundraising events that double as fellowship opportunities.
Getting Involved: Volunteer Teams
St. Paul's maintains a long and varied list of volunteer opportunities, both within the church and across the wider community. Within the church, members can serve as Sunday morning readers, ushers, members of the Tech Team supporting media in worship and expanding livestream capability, members of the Music Ministry, planners for spaghetti dinners and other fundraisers, members of the Fundraising Group, members of the Visitation of Members and Friends team (which provides transportation, food support, home visits, and other practical help), members of the Connection team that welcomes new and long-time members alike, and participants in the Facilities team working alongside Senior Facilities Manager Carol Townshend.
In the wider community, members can join the Anti-Racism Leadership Team, the WISE Task Force, the PFLAG First Fridays team, Meal and More onsite or periodic food donation efforts, Quechua Benefit support, Xeina support, or volunteer roles at Shepherd's Staff, Carroll Food Sunday, and the Habitat for Humanity ReStore. An Environment and Climate Justice team engages with ecological concerns.
Leadership and Mission
The pastoral staff is led by Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. Marty Kuchma, supported by Associate Pastor Rev. Dr. Chynaah Maryoung-Cooke, Minister of Social Justice Rev. Erin Snell, and Community Minister Rev. Sarah Ramsland. Ronald Douglass serves as Director of Music, alongside musicians Jo Morrison, Jane McIlvain, and Bob Frazee.
The mission of St. Paul's is to be a faithful and forward-looking Christian congregation that welcomes every person into loving community and bears witness to the power and love of God through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Following Jesus' example, the congregation strives to serve God by serving all of God's creation in everything it does.
The vision of the people of St. Paul's is to engage with God in worship, experience God's presence in daily life, be a church for all people, sustain one another in faith and love, equip members for Christian service, work toward justice and peace for all of God's creation, and invite others into Christian covenant. In the words of the congregation, they continue to work together in love and fellowship for a common cause, to love God and serve all of God's creation, confident that with God's help and by God's grace, the future will reflect the same spirit of self-sacrifice and compassion that is their legacy and their calling.
Giving and Staying Connected
Online giving, both one-time and recurring, is available through the church's secure giving portal. The TidBits weekly email newsletter keeps members and friends informed about upcoming worship, programs, and opportunities to serve. Social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube carry updates and additional ways to follow the congregation's life and work.
St. Paul's United Church of Christ is located at 17 Bond Street, Westminster, Maryland 21157, with the office reachable by phone at (410) 848-5975. Sunday worship gathers at 10:00 AM in person and on Zoom, and the doors of the church remain open to anyone who walks through them.