On April 14 the Archdiocese of Baltimore unveiled its “Seek the City to Come” proposal which seeks to reimagine the Catholic Church’s ministry and reorganize Roman Catholic parishes across Baltimore City. The proposal would consolidate 61 parishes down to 21. Among those facing potential closure is the 144-year-old Corpus Christi parish, situated at the corner of Mt. Royal and West Lafayette Aves.
Michael Stefanek in February began his role as Minister of Music at Brown Memorial Park Avenue Presbyterian Church in Bolton Hill. Stefanek is organist and choir director and manages all the music ministries of the church. He was selected after a search that attracted applications from organists across the United States.
Just a few blocks west from Bolton Hill, at 1714 Madison Street, Payne Memorial AME Church stands as an example of the intersection of faith, community service and change under the leadership of Rev. Melech E.M. Thomas. Growing up in the church he now leads, Rev. Thomas’s story is one of personal transformation and a higher calling.
Changes in public religiosity, the politicization of some evangelical denominations, the prolonged scandal in the Catholic Archdiocese and the COVID pandemic—they’ve taken a toll on attendance and the dynamism of many churches, nationally and in the neighborhood.
Churches in and near Bolton Hill find themselves challenged to rebuild regular attendance and renew in-person activities after extended shutdowns and ad hoc arrangements that began in 2020 with the COVID 19 pandemic. Attendance is lower than before.
Brown Memorial Park Avenue Presbyterian Church is beginning its sesquicentennial celebration, albeit a year late.
A group of neighbors led by Samantha Ritter is organizing to support refugee families arriving to Baltimore.
The COVID-19 pandemic is an everyday major inconvenience, but for area churches during the holiday season, trying to keep worshipers safe while maintaining holiday traditions can be especially challenging.
In this season of Passover/Ramadan/Easter, people of faith are stretched and challenged by the COVID 19 pandemic and this extended period of physical distancing.
