USA > Maryland > Baltimore County > Baltimore City > A service of re-dedication, Old Otterbein United Methodist Church, Baltimore, Maryland > Part 1
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BH
A SERVICE OF
RE-DEDICATION
SUNDAY AFTERNOON, NOVEMBER 20, 1977 Three o'clock
OLD OTTERBEIN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Sharp and Conway Streets Baltimore, Maryland
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2014
https://archive.org/details/serviceofrededic00otte
A Coincidence
Philip Wilhelm Otterbein came from Pennsylvania in 1774 to become the spiritual leader of a small congre- gation located on this site where we are worshiping today. He remained for the rest of his ministry- thirty-nine years-until his death on November 17, 1813. His funeral service and burial took place here on November 20, 1813, exactly 164 years ago today. Dominie Otterbein is buried in the churchyard outside this building which was one of the fruits of his min- istry and which now bears his name.
Old Otterbein United Methodist Church is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and, also, is designated a Baltimore City Landmark.
Historical Notes
Old Otterbein United Methodist Church dates from 1771 when a small, independent group separated itself from the German Re- formed Church and built its own small chapel on land purchased from the John Eager Howard estate. This land, the site of the present church, was called Howard's Hill. The congregation selected Benedict Schwope as pastor and chose the name, German Evangelical Re- formed Church.
The church's illustrious history, however, really began in 1774 when Philip Wilhelm Otterbein responded to a second call from the struggling congregation and arrived in Baltimore on May 4. The second invitation to Pastor Otterbein was strengthened by a personal letter from Francis Asbury who, at this time, knew Otterbein only through his work.
As recorded in the preface to The Church Book of the Evangeli- cal Reformed Church, Baltimore, January 1, 1785, Otterbein "With- out delay, and by the help of God, ... began to organize a church, and, as far as it was possible for him, to bring it within the letter and spirit of the gospel." The gospel had been at the heart of all of Otterbein's past endeavors and accomplishments. His work with the new church was no exception. Daniel Berger in his History of the Church of the United Brethren tells us that Otterbein, eschewing formality and orthodoxy, ". .. preached the plain truths of the gospel with great urgency, insisting upon a thorough conversion of the heart, a con- sciousness through the Spirit's witness of present salvation, and the testimony of a pure and godly life." Otterbein undergirded his preaching with pastoral care for his flock. He was tender, kind, and solicitous but adamant in his firmness regarding the application of a Christian discipline to daily life. In 1785 the tenets of this discipline were set down in the Church Book and subscribed to by the preacher, elders, deacons, and members. This document containing the "con- stitution and ordinances" governing the church was one of Otterbein's significant accomplishments.
Further, Otterbein fully expected the members of his church to participate in week-day classes and other activities involving them in prayer, study, and fellowship for the purpose of improving Christian living. Under such a program the church at Howard's Hill grew, and in 1798 it was incorporated under the laws of Maryland as the Ger- man Evangelical Reformed Church.
Otterbein's work and influence, however, were not confined to his congregation. He had many friends and associates among the German Reformed ministers and the leaders of the Methodist societies as well as those of other religious groups. He did not narrowly restrict him- self to a denomination but joined eagerly with those of like mind in Christian values wherever he found them. His oft-quoted statement- "We are brethren."-made to Martin Boehm, a Mennonite, attests to his ecumenical attitude.
In 1784 Otterbein participated in the ordination as bishop of his good friend, Francis Asbury, first bishop of the Methodist Church to be ordained in America. He also took the leadership in convening in 1789 a group of Reformed and other ministers, holding views similar to his own, who were concerned with spiritual renewal in the churches of America. This group met again in 1791 and still again in 1800. At this latter conference, the decision was made to designate the group "United Brethren in Christ". Otterbein and Boehm were elected bishops, and the Discipline which had been developed for Otterbein's Baltimore church was adopted by the new organization.
Relationships between the United Brethren and Methodists were very cordial, and their teachings were based on the same ideas. There was much correspondence and interaction between the sects, accom- panied by efforts to unite the two organizations. These efforts did not come to fruition, however, during the lives of Otterbein or Asbury. The use of German by the United Brethren and English by the Methodists was an important factor, although not the only one, in maintaining the separation. The union of the two denominations- a union which seemed inevitable from the eighteenth century-had to wait until 1968 when the old church reflected the merger as it assumed its new name of Old Otterbein United Methodist Church. Other signi- ficant changes occurred, however, before 1968. In 1946 the Evangel- ical Church and the United Brethren joined to form the Evangelical United Brethren Church and in 1949 the old church charter of 1798 was amended to change the name to Old Otterbein Evangelical United Brethren Church.
There were other changes, too, happening through the years from Otterbein's arrival on Howard's Hill in 1774 to the present. Soon the congregation outgrew its small wooden meeting-house, and in 1785 the present building was erected at a cost of approximately $6,000, of which Otterbein himself contributed $2,136. The bricks used in the construction were brought from England as ballast in merchant ships and were left at dockside for those who had a use for them. In 1789 the bell tower was completed and the bells, cast in Bremen, Ger- many, were installed. Until the roof was restored in 1977 no other major structural change was made to the exterior of the building during these past one hundred and ninety-two years.
Many alterations, however, were made to the interior during this time. For example, the double rows of windows may seem at first
glance to be somewhat excessive as far as admitting light to the in- terior, but it must be noted that, originally, a balcony bordered the west, south, and east walls, leaving only the north wall of the sanc- tuary for the pulpit-the place where Otterbein's portrait now hangs. As nearly as can be determined the east and south balconies were removed about 1839-40, and the pulpit was relocated on the east wall.
Until 1842 the church had been lighted with tallow candles and oil lamps, but in that year the Vestry voted to install gas fixtures to replace them. Posts were placed along the aisles to house the gas pipes and support the fixtures. Some of these posts were discovered in 1950 and refinished and are now in use as flower stands. One sup- ports the chancel lectern.
In 1921 the lighting of the church was again modernized. The posts supporting the gas fixtures were removed and the church was wired for electricity. The beautiful chandelier, presented to Old Otterbein in 1896 and originally illuminated by gas, was electrified. The ring supporting the electric bulbs is the original tubing which carried the gas. The fixtures on either side of the pulpit and those on the front of the organ are also original gas fixtures converted to electricity. The Niemann organ itself, a gift to the church in 1897, was supplied with electricity.
Other than careful and constant maintenance, there had been little need since then for major work until age required the complete restoration of the roof and ceiling in 1977. This necessary renovation which seemed at first an insurmountable problem for a tiny congrega- tion has been accomplished at a cost of approximately $107,000. Thus Old Otterbein, with God's help and because of the generosity of many, will continue as the oldest house of worship in the city and as a Balti- more landmark.
Participants in the Service
It is fitting that the members of the clergy participating in today's service should represent both the United Brethren tradition and the Methodist tradition. Bishop Paul W. Milhouse of the Okla- homa Area, currently President of the Council of Bishops, was for- merly associated with the Evangelical United Brethren Church; while our own Bishop James K. Mathews of the Washington Area repre- sents the Methodist heritage. Old Otterbein counts itself privileged to welcome these two Church leaders to its pulpit today.
We are also happy to have with us our District Superintendent, Rev. Carroll A. Doggett, Jr. of the Southwest District, as well as Rev. Frederick W. Mund, Delmont United Methodist Church, and Rev. Thomas R. Searfoss, Boundary United Methodist Church, both of whom formerly served Old Otterbein.
The guest organist is Miss Patrica Barnes who had been our organist for the past three years. Quite recently a professional com- mitment took her to another part of the country.
Mrs. Adele Maggard is guest soloist. She is a member and the choir director of Waters Memorial United Methodist Church in St. Leonard, Maryland. Several generations of Mrs. Maggard's family worshipped at Old Otterbein, and Mrs. Maggard was baptized here.
Old Otterbein's pastor, Rev. Walter R. Harris, will conduct the service. James R. Edward is the organist. He came to Old Otterbein in this capacity recently.
ยท
THE SERVICE OF RE-DEDICATION REV. WALTER R. HARRIS, Pastor JAMES R. EDWARD, Organist
THE STEEPLE BELLS
ORGAN PRELUDE : "I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord" Arr. G. Young James R. Edward
*CALL TO WORSHIP : Rev. Harris
Minister : Serve the Lord with gladness :
People : Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise : Minister : O Come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our maker.
People:
He is our God; and we are the people of his pasture,
and the sheep of his hand. Amen.
*HYMN: "Christ is Made the Sure Foundation" 298
* AFFIRMATION OF FAITH 738
*PASTORAL PRAYER AND THE LORD'S PRAYER Rev. Searfoss
SOLO: "Have Faith in God" Thompson Adele Maggard
WELCOME AND RECOGNITION OF VISITORS Rev. Harris
THE SCRIPTURE Rev. Mund
OFFERTORY : "Adagio e Dolce" fr: Sonata III
J. S. Bach
Patricia Barnes
*PRESENTATION OF GIFTS AND TITHES WITH THE DOXOLOGY
*HYMN: "The Church's One Foundation" 297
GREETINGS FROM THE DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT AND INTRODUCTION OF BISHOP JAMES K. MATHEWS. . Rev. Doggett
GREETINGS AND PRESENTATION OF BISHOP PAUL W. MILHOUSE Bishop Mathews
THE SERMON Bishop Milhouse
*THE OFFICE OF RE-DEDICATION Bishop Mathews
Minister : Beloved in the Lord, we rejoice that God put it into the hearts of his people to renew this house to the glory of his name. We now re-dedicate this building and set it apart for the worship of almighty God and the service of all men. Let us therefore, as we are assembled, solemnly re-dedicate this place to its proper and sacred uses.
To the glory of God the Father, who has called us by his grace;
To the honor of his Son, who loved us and gave himself for us;
To the praise of the Holy Spirit, who illumines and sanctifies us ;
People: We re-dedicate this house.
Minister : For the worship of God in prayer and praise; For the preaching of the eternal Gospel ; For the celebrations of the holy Sacraments;
People: We re-dedicate this house.
Minister : For the comfort of all who mourn; For strength to those who are tempted ; For light to those who seek the way ;
People: We re-dedicate this house.
Minister: In gratitude for the labors of all who love and serve this Church;
In loving remembrance of those who have finished their course;
In the hope of a blessed immortality through Jesus Christ our Lord;
People : We re-dedicate this house.
*PRAYER Bishop Mathews
SOLO: "Bless This House" Taylor/Brahe Adele Maggard
*HYMN: "O God, Our Help in Ages Past" 28
*BENEDICTION . Rev. Harris ORGAN POSTLUDE: "One Holy Church of God Appears" W. Jones James R. Edward
*Congregation standing
Reception in the Nelker Memorial Sunday School Building immediately following the service.
In Appreciation
To you who helped to make the restoration of Old Otterbein possible, we are grateful and hope you share our joy today.
Particular recognition is extended to the following because of their exceptional concern and generosity on behalf of Old Otterbein:
Baltimore Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church
Baltimore Heritage, Inc.
Commission for Historical and Architectural Preservation of the City of Baltimore
Guilford Garden Club
Jacob and Annita France Foundation, Inc.
Maryland Historical Trust of the State of Maryland
Memorial United Methodist Church (Silver Spring) St. Paul United Methodist Church (Kensington) Mr. John M. Seney, Jr.
Society for the Preservation of Maryland Antiquities
Mrs. Rose W. Spiess
Donors
Mr. & Mrs. Charles W. Ahalt Rev. Robert E. Airhart Ms. Margaret A. Alexander Mr. Leon C. Almoney, Sr. Mrs. G. Maxwell Armour, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Edward A. Atkinson Mr. & Mrs. Fred Bachman Mr. Augustus A. Baim Mr. & Mrs. Frank Barnes
Mrs. Elmer C. Baus Mrs. Eva B. Becker
Mrs. William E. Becker, Jr. Mrs. Bailey Berry Mr. & Mrs. Earl Bittner Mr. & Mrs. Edward Boehne Mr. & Mrs. Frank Boehne Mrs. Anna F. Boone
Mr. & Mrs. Elmer H. Borcherding
Mr. & Mrs. Carl E. Born Mr. & Mrs. Emory J. Born Mr. J. Van Story Branch Dr. Earl K. Brown Mrs. Amalie Burger Ms. Edith J. Chairs Mrs. Helen G. Chamberlain Mr. & Mrs. Elmer Chavis Christ Church Harbor Apts.
Mr. Roger H. Cissel Miss Ethel R. Cockey Mr. & Mrs. William R. Cook Ms. Louise Costin Dr. & Mrs. James F. Craig Mrs. Helen Croghan Mr. Carroll H. Cruse Mr. George A. Cruse Rev. & Mrs. David C. Davis Mr. H. Chace Davis, Jr.
Donors
Mr. & Mrs. Charles Degele Mrs. Joseph R. Dennis Rev. Phil Deschner Mr. C. Howard Dodson, Jr. Rev. Carroll A. Doggett, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Herbert Doroff Dr. Rhoda M. Dorsey Rev. Merrill W. Drennan Mr. & Mrs. Beverly W. Dunning Miss Geraldine R. Eccard
Mr. Theodore Elser Mrs. Stanley Elseroad Mr. & Mrs. Calvin Emerson
Mrs. Mattie C. Fieck
Rev. Bernard E. Fogle Mr. & Mrs. Robert M. Foster Mrs. Robert K. Frey Mr. Albert G. Fritz Mr. Robert Gassaway
Mr. & Mrs. Richard E. Gatchell Mr. Nathan Gerber Miss Catherine Gerecht Mr. & Mrs. Vernon T. Gesell Mrs. Emily H. Glanville
Ms. Nellie May Glick Mrs. Edward G. Goetz Ms. Ruth E. Graham Mr. & Mrs. Michaux P. Grammer Mrs. Anna K. Grimes Mr. & Mrs. Fred W. Gross Mrs. Floyd E. Gruber Mr. & Mrs. Ed Gunning
Mrs. Wheeler K. Hancock Ms. Elsie M. Hanssen Rev. & Mrs. Walter R. Harris Mrs. Ira Harrison
Mrs. Sophia Harrison
Mrs. Mildred W. Hassinger Mrs. Elva Hayes
Mrs. H. C. Hendrickson
Miss M. Rosella Herman Mrs. Laura E. Hesterberg
Ms. Emma Jane Hines
Mr. James Hodges Ms. Sophie Hody
Mrs. Paul E. Holdcraft Rev. Watson E. Holley Miss Julia F. Hoopper
Mrs. A. D. Hutzler Rev. Kelly L. Jackson Mr. Howard L. Jones Mr. & Mrs. Sherman Jones Mr. & Mrs. William Joynes Mr. Calvin A. Keeney Mr. & Mrs. Howard R. Kendall, Jr.
Mrs. John T. King, Jr. Mr. John P. Kirwan Mr. Charles Kluth Mr. & Mrs. Leroy B. Kontz Mr. & Mrs. Stanley Kroiz Rev. H. E. Krone
Miss Dorothy B. Krug Mr. & Mrs. Vincent LaMonte Mr. & Mrs. Julian L. Lapides Mr. Clinton S. Larmore
Rev. Richard T. Lawrence Mr. E. Gordon Leatherman Bishop & Mrs. Earl Ledden Mr. Joseph M. Levi Rev. Trago Lloyd Mr. Donald B. Loeschke Mr. & Mrs. George M. Lovell
Mrs. Frances E. Luber Miss Bethyl Macklin Mr. John Maclay, Jr. Mrs. Irwin Macomber
Mr. & Mrs. William Mangold Dr. Frank C. Marino Foundation, Inc. Mrs. Norma Martin Bishop James K. Mathews Miss Janet McCready Mr. & Mrs. W. P. McCready Mr. & Mrs. Lester McKee Rev. Robert Mckinley, III Mr. & Mrs. Charles W. McLain Mr. Franklin L. Meeder, Sr. Mr. & Mrs. E. J. Mick Bishop & Mrs. Paul W. Milhouse Ms. Doris E. Miller Ms. E. Louise Miller Mr. Jan paul Miller Mr. A. Preston Mitzell Mr. & Mrs. Allan W. Mund Mr. & Mrs. Neil B. Munson Miss Virginia Myerly
Donors
Mrs. Bernice L. Nace Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Navarro Otterbein Community Assn. Mr. Ernest F. Payne Mr. Robert S. Peddicord Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Peddicord Mrs. Lawrence Perin Mr. & Mrs. John Pfaff Mr. & Mrs. James K. Redding Miss Claire A. Richardson Ms. Mildred I. Rochlitz Mr. & Mrs. William N. Rock Rev. J. W. Rosenberger Mrs. Vivien Ross Mrs. Cora M. Rowe Mrs. Lewis Rumford, II
Mr. & Mrs. Edward L. Russell
Mr. Herbert Sauter Mrs. Elizabeth A. Scarborough Mrs. Margaret Schafer Miss Elsie B. Schaffer Mr. & Mrs. J. N. Scheer
Mr. James A. Schepf, Sr. Mrs. John R. Sherwood
Dr. Montgomery J. Shroyer Mrs. H. Elmer Singewald Dr. Asbury Smith
Mr. & Mrs. Donald J. Smith
Mr. & Mrs. Edgar F. Smith
Mr. & Mrs. Franklin H. Smith Mrs. Gardner T. Smith Mrs. Jay T. Smith
Mr. Wilbur G. Smith
Mr. Walter Sondheim, Jr. Mrs. George Sprenkel & Family Mr. William B. Stansbury, Jr. Ms. Ruth Staylor
Rev. Roy H. Stetler, Jr. Mrs. Gideon N. Stieff Mr. & Mrs. Frank Stinchcomb Rev. & Mrs. Cawley H. Stine Mr. & Mrs. Carl F. Stissel Mrs. Edward Swartz Mrs. Robert H. Swindell, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Armand J. Thiebolt, Jr.
Mr. Robert J. Thieblot
Col. Bernard G. Thobe Mr. & Mrs. Carl W. Thobe
Mr. Robert M. Thomas Mrs. Elsie Trayer Mr. Jerry Tribble Dr. & Mrs. I. R. Trimble
Mrs. George E. Van Dyke
Rev. William C. Wachter
Rev. Karl H. Wareheim Rev. Paul F. Warner Mr. & Mrs. Roger Warren, Jr.
Mr. Hays T. Watkins Mr. & Mrs. William A. Weise Mrs. Evan D. Wheeler Dr. H. Lawrence Wheeler
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph M. Whitmire
Rev. Wilbur A. Williams Mrs. Harry D. Wilson Rev. & Mrs. Herman M. Wilson Mr. & Mrs. Harry Wise
Mr. Forrest H. Witmeyer Mr. & Mrs. Charles Wolfe Mrs. Bertha Worsham Mr. John M. Worsham, Jr. Mrs. Hilda N. Yingling Mr. & Mrs. Eugene F. Zacharias Mrs. Evelyn Stine Ziegler
In Honor of
Mr. & Mrs. Edward L. Russell by Ms. Carol S. Polus Dr. Lavely D. Gruber by United Methodist Women, Milford Mill U.M. Church
In Memory of
Mr. Floyd E. Gruber by Ms. Julia M. Ford Friends-U.S. Naval Research & Development Command Mr. William Hoffman Mrs. C. M. McNally Ms. Marie J. Simpson Mr. & Mrs. A. L. Smookler Mrs. William C. Witler
Rev. Kenneth Grove by Mr. Florian K. Svitak
Mr. Harry Newcomer by Mrs. Harry Newcomer
Churches
Arnolia U.M. Church
(Baltimore)
Bethel U.M. Church
(Chewsville)
Calvary U.M. Church
(Annapolis)
Cheverly U.M. Church
(Cheverly)
Christ U.M. Church
(Cumberland)
Daniels-Gary Memorial U.M.
Charge
(Ellicott City)
First U.M. Church
(Laurel)
Govans U.M. Church
(Baltimore)
Grace U.M. Church
(Baltimore)
Grace U.M. Church
(Hagerstown)
Hughes U.M. Church
(Wheaton)
Linden-Linthicum U.M. Church
(Clarksville)
Marley U.M. Church
(Glen Burnie)
Marvin Memorial U.M. Church
(Silver Spring)
Mayo Memorial U.M. Church
(Mayo)
Mt. Nebo U.M. Church
(Boonesboro)
Mt. Vernon Place U.M. Church
(Baltimore)
Mt. Zion U.M. Church
(Highland)
Oakland U.M. Church
(Sykesville)
Otterbein U.M. Church
(Hagerstown)
Otterbein Memorial U.M. Church
(Baltimore)
Randall Street Christian Church
(Baltimore)
Sailor's Union Bethel Meth.
Church
(Baltimore)
St. James U.M. Church
(West Friendship)
Taylor's Chapel
Trinity U.M. Church
(Catonsville)
University U.M. Church
(College Park)
Church Organizations
United Methodist Women Hughes U.M. Church Linthicum Heights U.M. Church-Ruth Unit Mt. Olive U.M. Church Old Otterbein U.M. Church Sudbrook U.M. Church Towson U.M. Church
Golden Rule Bible Class Eutaw U.M. Church United Methodist Men Towson U.M. Church
A Special Note of Thanks
Old Otterbein United Methodist Church is indebted to the Chan- cellor of the Baltimore Annual Conference, Mr. William B. Stansbury, Jr., for his understanding of the problems involved, his advice, and his guidance in various aspects of the restoration project.
The architectural and engineering aspects of the restoration work were executed by Ewell, Bomhardt & Associates. The contractor was J. Vinton Schafer & Sons, Inc.
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