The stately granite church, Baldwin Memorial United Methodist, celebrated its 100th year in 1996.
This is the third church edifice to stand on this same location at the intersection of Generals
Highway and Indian Landing Road. The beginning of our church dates back to the 1770's when the
followers of John Wesley formed and worshipped in Methodist societies. The Methodist Episcopal
Church in America was formed in 1784; Francis Asbury was elected and ordained its Bishop. These
Methodist Societies met in members' homes and the preachers rode circuits visiting these societies.
Brooksby's Point, the home of John and Lydia Sewell, was the location for Society meetings on the
Annapolis circuit in 1777. Francis Asbury preached several times at Brooksby's Point, about one
and one-half miles from our church.
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The first church to be erected on the site of the present church was a frame one. In 1817,
the Methodist Episcopals joined with the Protestant Episcopals to build this frame church because
the Society meetings had grown too large for a private home. These two congregations used this
church sanctuary on alternate Sundays. A circuit rider served the Methodist congregation.
In 1840, the Protestant Episcopal members built their own church, St. Stephens Episcopal Church.
They later sold their share of the first church to the Methodist for $100.00.
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In 1861, the Methodists replaced the first church with a Georgian colonial style frame building.
It was called the Cross Roads Church and was part of the Severn Circuit. This eight church circuit
was served by one of two traveling ministers every other Sunday. The sons and daughters of
William Henry and Jane Maria Woodward Baldwin asked and received permission from the conference
to replace the 1861 colonial church with a stone church in memory of their parents. The colonial
Church was moved across Indian Landing Road to be used for a church school.
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In 1896, a lovely granite church resembling an English country chapel was completed.
On Thanksgiving Day 1896, the third church was dedicated free of debt by Bishop John F. Hurst.
Rev. Charles Jones served as a full time pastor. The Baltimore Annual Conference voted, over the
protests of the donors, to change the name of the church from Cross Roads Church to Baldwin
Memorial Church in recognition of the tireless support to this Methodist Episcopal congregation
by Mr. and Mrs. William Henry Baldwin.
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The stained glass window over the altar in our Sanctuary depicting the Apostle John was donated
by Mrs. William Woodward, Jr. in memory of her husband. This window was made by the Tiffany
Studios in New York City for another church, but Mrs. Woodward was able to acquire it for Baldwin
Memorial Church. In 1907, the sons and daughters of Richard and Sophronia Baldwin donated the
stained glass window in the apse of the Church as a memorial to their parents. This lovely and
peaceful window was also made by the Tiffany Studios.
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In 1936, the church school had become crowded and an addition to the church school building,
previously the Cross Roads Church, was constructed. This building was rededicated and named the
Charles W. Baldwin Hall. Rev. Baldwin, a son of William Henry and Jane Marie Baldwin had served
as a circuit rider here in the 1860's. He had served in many important leadership roles in the
Baltimore Annual Conference.
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In 1963, the membership in our church was growing rapidly and the church was enlarged with a
divided chancel. The rear wall of the church was removed and the Sanctuary extended. A basement
was included in this addition to provide a church office and choir room. Rev. Glenn F. Clulow was
the pastor during this building program. Later, the congregation decided that a new educational
building was needed. In 1969 the ground breaking for the educational building took place. On
September 20, 1970, the building was consecrated as Summerfield Baldwin Jr. Educational Building.
A new school for the Crofton community had been organized and used this building for elementary
school age children during 1970-1971.
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Baldwin Memorial celebrated its bicentennial in 1977. In April 1977, the congregation dedicated a
Methodist Historical Marker, pointing out the significant heritage of this church to the many
surrounding communities. Rev. W. Kenneth Lyons Jr., District Superintendent Edgar Hammersla and
Bishop James K. Matthews presided at this historic ceremony.
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In 1981, the congregation could no longer maintain the upkeep of the Charles W. Baldwin Hall.
The Severn Crossroads Foundation assumed ownership of the building and moved it across Generals
Highway. It is used for many community activities.
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On Easter Sunday 1982, a 23 rank Mohler pipe organ was dedicated and presented to the church by
Mr. and Mrs. Edward J. Dunnavant. Mr. Dunnavant, Keith Rembold and Roy Brown installed and
enclosed the pipes for the organ in the loft of the sanctuary. In 1987, the Baltimore Conference
Committee on Evangelism commended Baldwin Memorial as one of six most active churches in
Evangelism and outreach.
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Over the years, this church has responded to the needs of the communities around it. A child care
center was organized by the church in 1993. The center offers full time day care, pre-school and
before/after school activity programs. Today, more than 60 children attend this center. Active
programs of education for children, youth and adult, a missions program which responds to local,
national and international needs and programs such as United Methodist Women, Scouts, Habitat for
Humanity, Sunday Schools, Singles Group, Youth Fellowships, Choirs, Prayer Breakfasts, and
Vacation Bible School are a few of the many activities present in our church today.
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Between 1817 and 1881, sixty-five circuit preachers served in the first two churches at the Cross
Roads. From 1896 to the present, twenty-five full time ministers and one associate minister have
worked to strengthen and provide programs for the congregation and the needs of our community.
Baldwin Memorial United Methodist Church, an original Asbury Station, continued to grow in
membership, activities for all ages, and Christian Fellowship as it celebrated its 100th
Anniversary of its third sanctuary in 1996.
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In 1996, a History Room was established in the Educational Building. Permanent exhibits about
the 3 churches are on display. Exhibit boards and showcases are used to show varied collections
of church memorabilia. Newspaper articles dating back to the dedication of the stone church in
1896 and personal writings of members from over the years can be viewed. There are also Communion
chalices, collection plates, Bibles, prayer books, printings of the three churches, architectural
drawings and many other items of interest for visitors.
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In 2002, the congregation that had its beginning in 1777 as a "Methodist Society" was 225 years
old. A reunion of this historic occasion was held on Sunday, November 17, 2002.
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