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Following its Civil War, America's port cities received a historic number of immigrants. Messiah began in Canton as a General Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church mission to Baltimore immigrants. The Synod's signature is in our "middle" name: Messiah English Lutheran Church.
Messiah English Lutheran Church held its first service on September 8, 1889 at "King's Hall" on the southeast corner of Linwoood Avenue and O'Donnell Street. It was chartered on Martin Luther's birthday, November 10, 1889 and began its first chapel in January of 1890 where Messiah Hall now stands.
The present church, built of Port Deposit granite, was dedicated on November 18, 1900. After several years of renovations, the nave was rededicated on November 11, 2001. O'Donnell Square is the only location the congregation has ever had. We remain committed to ministry, in Word and Sacrament, through love and service, to the people of this place. The congregation has produced seven pastores and a bishop for service to the church, but has always been a servant in the Southeast of Baltimore. |
