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our first two buildings
In 1803, at the time Second Presbyterian Church first came into existence, the new congregation promised its new pastor, Dr. John Glendy, a new church building. Land was bought at the corner of Baltimore and Lloyd Streets for the price of four thousand dollars and a colonial style brick structure was erected for the sum of thirty-five thousand dollars. The church's location on Baltimore Street placed it on a major east-west thoroughfare making Second easily accessible to new settlers. To be seated in the church sanctuary, the church-goer was required to buy or rent a pew. A bought pew plaque with the family name at the end was raised about three inches off the floor to divert winter cold. There was, of course, no heat or air-conditioning. Candles were the source of light until 1822, when whale oil lamps were installed. In 1835, a new tin roof was added, but the church needed great renovation.
In 1849, the decision was made to raze the original building and build a new sanctuary on the same property. The style of the second sanctuary reflected the Victorian craving for elaborate detail. The Baltimore Sun Papers described the building as "modern, with all conveniences." Built in a Norman, Gothic style, the new structure was built of brick and freestone. The building contained 148 pews, three front entrances (representing the trinity), a tower and spire that rose 140 feet, and a raised front yard surrounded by an iron fence. It was this second sanctuary that served us through the Civil War when the congregation split, quite literally, into two factions, northern sympathizers on one side of the aisle, southern supporters on the other. The church, however, thrived during and after the war and many improvements were made. A new organ was purchased for $2,500, diamond windowpanes became frosted, and in 1881, stained glass replaced the frosted panes. The interior of the building was entirely frescoed.
This second sanctuary at Baltimore and Lloyd Streets served as the spiritual home for members of Second Presbyterian Church well into the Twentieth Century. Following World War I, and recognizing the substantial shift in the city toward the northern boundaries, the church leadership began to search for new property for a third sanctuary-our present church building. Although it is easy to forget that we haven't always been right here at 4200 St. Paul Street, it is certainly worth remembering that for over 125 years of our nearly 200 year history, our worship life was centered in a different place.
The first steps toward the establishment of the Second Presbyterian Church of Baltimore were taken in 1802. The ground for the Church, situated at the southwest corner of Baltimore and Lloyd Streets, was acquired in 1803. The Church, designed by Architect George Millernan, a Church member, was completed in 1805, at a cost of $35,000. It served as our Sanctuary until 1850.
The first worship service in our second church building, that the Baltimore American called an "elegant church edifice", was held on January 11, 1852. The building underwent several improvements including the installation of the first organ in 1867. Use of the building lasted until 1924 when the move to Guilford was made.