Bethesda Meeting House - Bethesda MD
N 39° 00.596 W 077° 05.880
18S E 318347 N 4319972
This historic Presbyterian 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: WM79WW
Location: Maryland, United States
Date Posted: 09/25/2009
Views: 6
The first Presbyterian community in this area was founded in 1723. In 1820, one acre was purchased along the Georgetown Pike (now Rockville Pike) to build a stone meeting house for the larger Presbyterian community in Montgomery County. 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 Wilson Lane in Bethesda. 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.
Presbyterian Denomination: Presbyterian Church (USA)
Status: Active House of Worship
Address:
9400 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, MD USA
20814
Date Built: 1820/1851
Relevant Web Site: [Web Link]
Architect: Not listed
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