“My experience with their team has been so positive”. That’s what Dick Willis, Owners Representative, Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church, once said. Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church stands as a testament to faith and community in Severna Park. Founded in 1912 by eight organizing members, Woods Church began humbly. Pastor Frank Churchill Woods served without pay for the first six months. Early services were held in the local public elementary school.
The Baltimore Presbytery and the General Assembly provided financial assistance. They gave a grant and a loan to build the first church building. It took twenty-five years for the church to reach a membership of about 150.
In 1946, the church was renamed Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church. This renaming honored Mr. Frank Churchill Woods. Since then, Woods Church has undergone two or three major expansions. Today, Woods Church is one of the largest churches in the Baltimore Presbytery. The vibrant congregation includes more than 1200 members. They are committed to local and global faith.
Woods Church sits on a 4-acre campus. It includes a church building and a pre-school. The church also hosts an art gallery. It showcases works from local and national artists. Woods is a Presbyterian Church USA Earth Care Congregation. In 2021, they won the national Interfaith Power and Light Cool Congregations Challenge.
Woods Church has a strong global outreach. One significant activity is its relationship with Meadowbrook United Church in Jamaica. This began in 1984. Church members participated in mission visits in 1985 and 1986. In 1986, Raymond Coke suggested a joint mission relationship. He was the minister of Meadowbrook Church. This led to an exchange of pulpits in 1987. Woods supports education and dental programs run by Meadowbrook. Woods maintains this relationship as its sister church.
New construction includes a 500-seat sanctuary. It features a choir balcony and classrooms. There’s also a renovated commercial kitchen. A dramatic steeple rises 100 feet with a cupola.
Woods Church is responsible for several community developments. These include the Sunrise Senior Living Facility. Also the Woods Counseling and Care Center. And the Severna Park Community Center. The congregation supported all of these as a gift to the local community. Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church continues to be a beacon. It fosters faith, community, and global outreach.