Bethesda Meeting House - Bethesda MD
N 39° 00.596 W 077° 05.880
18S E 318347 N 4319972
This church, the Bethesda Meeting House, gave name to the surrounding community. This wooden church was built in 1851 on the original 1820 stone church foundation.
Waymark Code: WM79C4
Location: Maryland, United States
Date Posted: 09/22/2009
Views: 10
In 1820, one acre was purchased along the Georgetown Pike (now Rockville Pike) to build a stone meeting house for the Presbyterian community. The stone church stood until 1848 when it was destroyed by fire. By 1851, this wooden church was built on the original stone foundation, incorporating the original cornerstone.
The area surrounding the church had been known as Tennallytown, but through the efforts of the pastor at the time, Rev. Edward Henry Cumpston, the post office was renamed after the well-known Bethesda Meeting House in about 1862.
It is said that President Abraham Lincoln worshipped here and BSA Gen. Jubal Early searched the premises on his march from White’s Ferry to the battle of Fort Stevens in Washington, DC.
The Bethesda Presbyterian community worshipped here until 1926 when they moved to a new church on nearby Wilson Lane. This church property on Rockville Pike was sold to Mrs. William Fitch Kelly who lived in the church manse for many years. She later sold the property to the White Fathers of Africa for a missionary home. It is now owned by the Temple Hill Baptist Church and is open for Sunday services.
Date the Church was built, dedicated or cornerstone laid: 01/01/1820
Age of Church building determined by?: Cornerstone or plaque
If denomination of Church is not part of the name, please provide it here: Once Presbyterian, now Baptist
If Church holds a weekly worship service and "all are welcome", please give the day of the week: Sunday
Indicate the time that the primary worship service is held. List only one: 11:00 AM
Street address of Church:
9400 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, MD USA
20814
Primary website for Church or Historic Church Building: [Web Link]
Secondary Website for Church or Historic Church Building: [Web Link]
If Church is open to the public, please indicate hours: Not listed
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