Strawbridge United Methodist Church sits on the west side of Wakefield Valley Road just outside New Windsor, Maryland, its white sanctuary visible from the highway as drivers cross the railroad tracks into town. Founded in the second decade of the twentieth century as Smith Chapel and rooted in a stretch of Carroll County farmland, the church today describes itself with the motto "One Church, One People, One Ministry, and Our Eyes are Watching God." Members are taught to "deny ungodliness and worldly desires and live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself, His own special people, zealous for good works." The mission statement that runs through every page of the church's materials is short and steady: "At Strawbridge, we develop and empower spiritual leaders and commission them to transform the communities they serve."
From Smith Chapel to Strawbridge Methodist Episcopal Church
The congregation's history begins ca. 1916 under the name Smith Chapel. The land belonged to Joe Smith, whose daughter Terri Englar had employed Hattie (Thompson) Hill as a domestic worker. Hattie Hill encouraged the Englar family to set the land aside for church use only, and the meeting that grew out of that gift took the Smith family name. From 1916 to 1917 the worshipers gathered as Smith Chapel. The current church building was completed in 1918 under the leadership of the Reverend Isaac R. Berry, and the fellowship became Strawbridge Methodist Episcopal Church. The cemetery in front of the sanctuary, adjacent to Route 31, is today known as St. James Cemetery and is traced to the African-American men who worked for the Lehigh Cement Company in nearby Union Bridge and whose graves anchor the front of the property.
Strawbridge still maintains three cemeteries in the surrounding area. St. James Cemetery lies directly in front of the church on Route 31. Mt. Joy Cemetery is another of the congregation's burial grounds, and Mt. Olivet Cemetery, a one-acre graveyard near the intersection of MD 31 and Parsonage Road, was sold to Mt. Olivet Church in 1850 by Mary and Anthony Jackson, both of whom are buried at the site. Strawbridge United Methodist Church now owns that land and partners with the African American Resources Cultural Heritage Society and the Frederick Church of the Latter Day Saints to keep the grounds cleared.
Sanctuary Worship on Sunday Morning at Nine
Sunday worship at Strawbridge begins at 9:00 a.m. in the sanctuary. The service runs about an hour and a half and opens with praise music and greetings before moving into Scripture reading, prayer, and a sermon. Music is a blend of traditional Wesleyan hymns and contemporary praise songs, with the piano joined by a dedicated praise group of singers drawn from across the generations. The service also incorporates full media, with video and projection screens supporting the congregation's singing. The worship experience is one in which "together we lift our voices and our spirits."
Holy Communion is observed on the first Sunday of every month. The table is open, and the invitation echoes the congregation's wider welcome: all who come are welcome at the Lord's Supper. Children remain a top priority throughout the morning. Sunday School for all ages meets at 9:10 a.m. in the Social Hall at the rear of the church, so families can move from the educational hour straight into the sanctuary for worship without missing either.
First-time guests are told to wear whatever makes them comfortable. Some members arrive in suits and dresses, others in casual attire, and no one is asked to dress up to fit in. The same page answers the practical questions without fuss: services run about ninety minutes, kids have their own time in the Social Hall, and getting involved can mean attending worship, joining an adult studies group, taking part in outreach, or formally becoming a member of the church.
Bible Study on Zoom and in the Social Hall
Bible study at Strawbridge is held seasonally on Zoom, with meeting ID 912 6651 8739 and passcode 21776, and the program has built up an extensive archive of downloadable lessons and sermon notes. Recent series have moved through the book of Habakkuk in spring 2021, the Ark of the Covenant in fall 2021, the letter to the Galatians in spring 2022, a Spiritual Formation series in fall 2022, and a study of "Pleasing God" through the work and sacrifice of Jesus in spring 2023. A later series on Seven Spiritual Strength Exercises draws its theme from 2 Timothy 2:1-7 and Ephesians 3:14-19, walking through practices such as spending more time with loving family and friends, reducing distractions, observing thoughts about the people around us, stepping out in faith, being of service to others, and making prayer or meditation a daily habit. Recordings of past sessions are kept available so that anyone who misses a week can revisit the discussion. A separate weekly prayer call gathers the congregation by phone every Monday morning at 6:00 a.m.
Sunday School rounds out the teaching ministry. The 9:10 a.m. class meets in the Social Hall and is open to every age, from the youngest learners to the most seasoned adults. The curriculum is designed to foster thoughtful discussion of Scripture, personal growth, and a supportive community in which faith takes root over time.
The Praise Team, the Senior Choir, and the Women of Worship
Music at Strawbridge is treated as a full ministry rather than a backdrop to the sermon. The Praise Team, a roster of singers and musicians of every generation, rehearses every Thursday at 6:30 p.m. and brings contemporary songs, hymns, and special music into the sanctuary each Sunday. The Senior Choir rehearses every Tuesday at 6:15 p.m. and carries much of the traditional hymnody of the congregation. A Men's Choir gathers the third Saturday of each month at 10:00 a.m., and a Mass Choir combines the voices of the various ensembles for larger services.
One of the most distinctive groups is the Women of Worship. The ensemble had its genesis in November 2010 when Strawbridge member Dorothy "Muddy" Brown sponsored a talent show program at the church. Several women wanted to do something unique and different and to give praise to God while channeling the traditions of Christian women of the past, and they were introduced as Women of Worship, streaming up the center aisle to a gospel soundtrack in coordinated colors, hats, veils, gloves, stockings, and high heels. Their choreographed movements and hand motions included sign language and other elements that portrayed what was being sung, and the debut drew a standing ovation. From that night the group was invited to other churches, events, dramas, and programs, and they custom tailor each performance to the service at hand. Over the years they have added liturgical dance, props, and a wider repertoire, and they take on projects that include raising money for women's issues, sponsoring group line dancing lessons whose proceeds go to local cancer patients and their families, and serving civic and community-sponsored events.
Children, Youth, and Safe Sanctuaries
The children's ministry at Strawbridge is described as "a vibrant and nurturing space where children are not just the future of our faith community; they are valued, cherished members today." The work rests on the conviction that "faith is more than a set of beliefs or rituals; it's a living, dynamic relationship with our Creator," and everything the program does is meant to help children grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ and with one another.
The youth ministry serves students in grades 6 through 12. In addition to weekly programming, Strawbridge youth have traveled to United Methodist youth events; the church helped organize a delegation to Youth 2023 in Daytona Beach, Florida, a four-day gathering under the theme "BOLD, Being Ourselves - Living Different" from Hebrews 12:1-2, held at the Daytona Ocean Center with lodging at the Hilton Oceanfront Resort.
Children's and youth ministry at Strawbridge operates under the Safe Sanctuaries policy of the Baltimore-Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church. The congregation requires an annual Safe Sanctuary Disclosure Form on file for every staff member and lay servant who works with children, youth, and vulnerable adults, and a criminal background check is conducted once every five years.
Missions: Haiti, Colorfest, and the Great Commission
The missions and outreach ministry takes its charge from Matthew 28:19-20. "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Past events listed by the committee include the church's work in Haiti and the annual Colorfest, an outreach gathering that has become a regular fixture on the church calendar.
A Missions Council and an Outreach Ministry Team coordinate the congregation's local, national, and international efforts. Anyone interested in serving on the committee can fill out an interest card through the church and be connected to the team. The Pancake Suppers held at the Union Bridge Community Center and the chicken and fish dinners organized in cooperation with the wider Carroll County faith community are recurring examples of how the outreach work shows up in the neighborhood around the church.
United Methodist Men, United Women in Faith, and the Wider Lay Life
The men of the church meet as United Methodist Men on the third Saturday of each month at 10:00 a.m., and their ensemble, the Men's Choir, rehearses at the same time. The women of the church meet as United Methodist Women on the fourth Saturday of each month at 11:00 a.m. and are linked to the broader United Women in Faith network. Both groups operate as affinity ministries within the congregation, supporting one another, raising funds for causes inside and outside the church, and feeding into the church's wider life and leadership.
Additional lay-led ministries include a Care Visitation Team that visits hospitalized and homebound members, a Young Adult Ministry Leadership Team for ages 20 to 35, a Senior Adult Ministry Team that oversees the Prime Timers ministry, a Guest Services Team that handles greeting, hospitality, parking, coffee, and new-member connections, and a Stewardship Team that grows financial and volunteer giving. A Children's Council and a Youth Council support the paid directors of the children's and youth ministries.
Governance: Trustees, Finance, Nominations, and Staff-Parish Relations
The church's work is overseen through the standard United Methodist committee structure. The Board of Trustees supervises and maintains all property belonging to Strawbridge United Methodist Church, holds one another accountable to the mission and vision of the church, receives and administers gifts, keeps the Articles of Incorporation current, annually reviews property, liability, and crime insurance coverage, and conducts an annual accessibility audit of the buildings and grounds. The Finance Committee, made up of nine members in three rotating panels plus the pastor, treasurer, financial secretary, lay member to Annual Conference, and several other leaders, meets on the second Saturday of each month, compiles the annual budget, administers and disburses funds, establishes internal control policies, and arranges for an annual audit. The Staff-Parish Relations Committee handles human resources, including personnel policy, staff compensation, and pastor relations, and meets monthly with confidential business handled in closed session. The Nominations and Leadership Development Committee identifies, develops, deploys, evaluates, and monitors the Christian spiritual leadership of the church, drawing its mandate from Ephesians 4:11 ("The gifts He gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors, and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry").
The Endowment Ministry, the Communications Ministry, the Evangelism Ministry, and the Church School / Small Group ministry round out the working committees. The Communications Ministry, in particular, is responsible for the church's annual social media strategic plan, monitoring trends in social media tools, and measuring the impact of the church's online presence.
Leadership and Pastoral Care
The pastor of Strawbridge United Methodist Church is the Reverend Thomas Jay Blake. The pastoral team is supported by Yvonne Gambrill in Adult Ministries, William Allen and Carol Groomes in Children's Ministries, Ula Scott as chair of the Church School and Small Group ministry, and a Communications Ministry team that includes Odell Duppins Jr, Delmar Gillus, Kim Jones, and Daryl Smith. The Church Council is chaired by Carol Groomes, with Dawn Briscoe serving as secretary. The Endowment Ministry is led by Raynard Scott. Anita Lewis is the contact for the altar flower ministry, which invites members to honor a loved one or commemorate a special date by providing flowers for the sanctuary at a cost of $85.00, with the donor's name and reason printed in the Sunday bulletin.
Prayer requests can be submitted in person during worship, online through the church's website, or by email and phone. A dedicated prayer team meets every Monday morning, and the regular Monday morning prayer call at 6:00 a.m. is open to anyone who wants to join by phone. Members can request that a prayer be added to the church bulletin, shared only with the prayer warriors and the pastor, or kept between themselves and the pastor, and they can request a visit from the pastor or a lay minister.
Anti-Racism as Discipleship
Strawbridge United Methodist Church has named anti-racism as a core piece of its discipleship. The congregation recognizes racism as a sin, commits to challenging unjust systems of power and access, and pledges to work for equal and equitable opportunities in employment and promotion, education and training, in voting, access to public accommodations, and housing, and to positions of leadership and power in all elements of the church's life together. Members are encouraged to read, watch, and listen to resources on anti-racism, to engage in conversations with children, youth, and adults about the subject, to support peaceful protesting, and to commit to a thirty-day season of prayer, praying for eight minutes and forty-six seconds at 8:46 a.m. and 8:46 p.m. each day. The figure marks the length of time an officer held his knee on the neck of George Floyd. The church provides links to racial justice resources for young people, small group resources, and worship resources drawn from the work of the Baltimore-Washington Conference.
Herod's Nightmare: A Christmas Drama from the Pews
One of Strawbridge's signature artistic offerings is a Christmas dinner theater called "Herod's Nightmare: Jesus' Birth," written, produced, and directed by Ambassador Blango Ross, Jr., and first staged in November 2010. The four-scene dramatization tells the story of the Savior's birth as seen through the eyes of Herod the Great, king of Judea in the decades just before the common era. The play draws primarily from Matthew 1 and 2 with some narration from Luke 2, and is designed so that audience members or other talented participants can step in between them and thread the story together. The cast has featured many of the church's own members and their families over the years, with roles for King Herod, Mariamme II, Salome, the priest Simon, the centurion Octavius, the Virgin Mary, Joseph, two young actors playing Jesus at ages two and seven, the bodyguards Brutus and Cassius, the messenger Gallus, a company of angels, the magi, an inn-keeper, shepherds, and servants of the royal household. Between the scenes, performances have been offered by AJ Wilson Gospel, a trio of sisters from Owings Mills, Maryland, and Spiritual Creations mime ministry. The dinner theater draws on soundtracks by artists including Vanessa Williams, Luther Vandross, Kirk Franklin, and Andraé Crouch.
Finding the Church on Wakefield Valley Road
Strawbridge United Methodist Church is located at 1601 New Windsor Road, New Windsor, Maryland 21776, on the west side of Route 31 just north of Wakefield Valley Road. The mailing address is PO Box 353, New Windsor, MD 21776. Driving directions from Baltimore or Towson take travelers down the 795 toward Westminster, then Route 140 west, then Route 31 south through New Windsor past McDaniel College, left at the 7-Eleven/Citgo onto Church Street, left again at the third stop sign onto High Street, and across the railroad tracks to Wakefield Valley Road; the church is visible on the left. From Randallstown, the route runs north on Liberty Road into Carroll County, onto Route 26 toward Taylorsville, right onto Route 27, left onto Route 407 West, then right onto Route 31; the church is on the right at Wakefield Valley Road. From Columbia and Laurel, Route 32 north to Route 26 in Eldersburg, then Route 26 north to Route 27 to Route 407 to Route 31. From Frederick, Route 26 toward Libertytown and then Route 31 south through New Windsor brings visitors to the same spot. The GPS coordinates are 39.53124104607446, -77.1013372.
What to Expect When You Visit
The sanctuary is the center of Sunday morning, with worship at 9:00 a.m. and Sunday School across the hall at 9:10 a.m. Holy Communion is open to all on the first Sunday of the month. Bible study meets seasonally on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. on Zoom, and prayer call gathers by phone every Monday morning at 6:00 a.m. Anyone who wants to keep up with the church between visits can join the newsletter, watch services live on Facebook at the Discipleship Adventure page, and give securely online through the church's giving portal. Strawbridge United Methodist Church is a designated 501(c)(3) non-profit religious organization with tax identification number 52-2304712, and the congregation continues to keep its eyes, as its motto has it, on the watching God who has gathered them on this stretch of Maryland road for more than a century.