On a warm summer evening in July 1915 in the home of H. A. Kelbaugh more than a dozen people gathered with interest of forming a Sunday school class. Under the direction of Reverend Charles Pate, this class continued to grow nearly doubling in size. By mid August they would gather again on Thursday evenings for an informal prayer service. In October of the same year this “society” became part of a circuit and was named Idlewylde Methodist Episcopal Church.

It was Thanksgiving Day of 1916 that saw a party of men gathering on a vacant lot to begin laying the foundation for the current church building. It took volunteers more than a year to complete the current church building. It took volunteers more than a year to complete this new chapel and on December 2, 1917 the building was dedicated. Hence the “Christmas Card Church” ( As several of the local press called it ) was born to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Idlewylde community.

 

Today this little country church continues to minister to the people amidst the urban sprawl of Baltimore County. Always known as “ the little church with God’s mighty spirit”, this caring congregation seeks out the lonely and lost by sharing their faith in a personal way. If you seek the One who can bring purpose and meaning to your life, then we invite you to be a part of our family of believers.