“Going out and continuing to be the fellowship of the concerned but to the world” was the Rev. Jill McCrory’s final sermon topic. We are standing before what was Twinbrook Baptist Church. It stood as a beacon of progressive values in Rockville, Maryland.
Twinbrook Baptist Church was founded in 1956. A group of neighbors wanted a church they could walk to. First Baptist Church of Bethesda helped them start their own mission. Rev. John Laney became their first pastor. He envisioned a fellowship of the concerned.
For 63 years, Twinbrook Baptist Church proudly advertised its progressive values. Its logo incorporated rainbow colors. Church members marched in Pride parades. A sign on the lawn declared, “All Are Welcome. Really.” The church became a powerful advocate for marginalized groups. These groups included children with autism and LGBTQ Christians.
However, Twinbrook’s congregation dwindled over time. In 2013, Rev. Jill McCrory saw the congregation ebb and flow. There were never more than a few dozen faithful in the pews. The church made a tough decision to close its doors.
But Twinbrook Baptist Church chose to go out with dignity and grace. Rather than dwindle away, they decided to sell the building. They gifted the assets to organizations that shared their values. This reflected the church’s open and generous history.
More than $1 million from the sale helped 35 religious organizations and nonprofits. The gifts ranged from $2,000 to $250,000. Community Reach of Montgomery County received $250,000. They used it to open a diabetes clinic.
The Hispanic congregation Centro Cristiano Peniel had rented the building for years. Twinbrook sold the building to them at less than its assessed value. This allowed them to purchase their own space.
Twinbrook Baptist Church supported many groups. These included the Gay Straight Alliance at the local high school and Alcoholics Anonymous. These groups were allowed to continue meeting at the building.
Rev. Jill McCrory has long been an ally for LGBTQ people. She stood outside the Supreme Court when same-sex marriage became legal. She believes churches must be out in their support. Twinbrook deliberately advertised itself as welcoming to LGBT congregants.
McCrory testified before the D.C. Council and the Maryland General Assembly on marriage equality bills. She marched in the Capital Pride Parade. In 2010, she became the first pastor to wed a same-sex couple on stage at the Capital Pride Festival.
McCrory wanted to counter conservative members of her faith. She presented her church as a safe haven. People could worship as their authentic selves without fear.
The oldest member of Twinbrook held the organizing meeting for the church in her home in 1957. Some charter members were still alive when the church closed. One woman baptized and married at Twinbrook was sad to see it go. It didn’t matter if you were active. It was your church.
Twinbrook Baptist Church closed in August. The church held a legacy service for grant recipients. They received gifts of basil seeds. The seeds symbolized seasoning the community.
Twinbrook Baptist Church may be gone. But its legacy of generosity and inclusion lives on. The church’s impact will continue through the organizations it supported.