On D'Arcy Road in Upper Marlboro, a 600-seat sanctuary with cathedral windows and a 200-seat balcony anchors Westphalia United Methodist Church, a congregation whose roots reach back to 1893. Members call it "The W," and they gather around a single sentence: Building Healthy Christians to Build Healthy Communities. Sunday worship begins at 9:00 a.m. and is broadcast on YouTube and Facebook for those who cannot attend in person.
A Heritage from 1893
The history of Westphalia United Methodist Church runs through two older congregations. The Jackson and St. Luke Methodist churches can be traced back to 1893. In 1967 those congregations merged under the name Jackson-St. Luke Methodist Church and, while negotiations and preparations continued, held worship at the St. Luke location. Under the pastoral leadership of Rev. John H. Coursey, ground was broken for a new building on Westphalia Road on February 4, 1968, and the body chose the name Westphalia United Methodist Church. The first service in the new building was held on September 22, 1968.
The church's mortgage was burnt on September 23, 1983, and under Rev. Mary Brown-Oliver an expansion fund replaced the Debt Retirement Fund. A second groundbreaking came on April 20, 2008, under Rev. Dr. Timothy West. While construction proceeded, the congregation worshipped at Arrowhead Elementary School for twenty-two months and grew to roughly 500 members. On May 6, 2012, the Consecration Service was held for Phase I of the new facility. The list of pastors who have served reads like a local chronicle: Rev. John H. Coursey (1968-1969), Rev. Rudolph Flood (1969-1971), Rev. Samuel Stillwell (1971-1972), Rev. Harold Watson (1972-1976), Rev. Dr. Roland J.R. Timity (1976-1983), Rev. Mary Brown-Oliver (1983-1988), Rev. Dr. Walter E. Middlebrooks (1988-1995), Rev. Paula Payne (1995-1998), and Rev. Dr. Timothy West (1998 to the present). Through every tenure the work of Associate Minister John B. Pinkney is acknowledged.
Worship at 9:00 on Sunday
Sunday morning begins with Adult Sunday School, where members study scripture using the Adult Bible Studies Uniform Series. The 9:00 a.m. worship service fills the sanctuary each week; on the first Sunday of every month the service takes the form of a Holy Communion service. The service is offered simultaneously on Zoom for those at a distance and is livestreamed on the church's YouTube channel and Facebook page so anyone can follow along. A nursery and the Spiritual Growth and Development program serve children from walking age through twelve years old, giving parents a place for their children during the service.
The Worship Ministry oversees each gathering, coordinating spoken word, praise, spiritual song, music, and liturgical dance. The ministry works closely with the Senior Pastor to make sure every service is properly staffed and resourced.
Learning Together During the Week
Midweek formation happens in two main ways. On Wednesdays at noon the Zoom Noon Mid-Week Prayer Call opens a fifteen-minute window of intercession; anyone can dial 1-646-876-9923 with Meeting ID 574682585 to join by phone. On the first, second, and third Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m., Bible Study gathers on Zoom for two hours of teaching, drawing members into the kind of disciplined study that the church considers essential to becoming a "healthy Christian."
The Choir rehearses every Tuesday from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., preparing anthems and musical offerings for Sunday worship. For children, the Spiritual Growth and Development program provides age-appropriate teaching and activities during the service; parents can reach the program at spiritualgd@westphaliaum.org.
Ministries for Every Season
A network of small groups and fellowship ministries gathers around the Sunday routine. Joshua's Men Ministry meets on Zoom several times a week for the men of the congregation. The United Women in Faith (UWIF) meets in the Fellowship Hall on the second Saturday of each month at 10:00 a.m. and on Zoom the following Thursday evening; the United Methodist Women (UMW) gathers separately on Zoom on the second Saturday morning. L.O.V.E Ministry meets on Zoom the first Saturday of each month at 7:30 a.m. for a brief half-hour of fellowship. The Senior Adult Ministry Bible Study gathers on the third Tuesday of each month at 11:00 a.m., followed by a Senior Adult Ministry Meeting in the Fellowship Hall that runs into the early afternoon.
Drama Ministry script readings take place in person at the church, gathering aspiring actors and writers from the body. A Membership Ministry meets on Zoom on the third Thursday evening each month to welcome newcomers and integrate them into the life of the church.
Council, Trustees, and Staff
The Council on Ministries (COM) envisions, plans, implements, and coordinates the church's strategic ministry plans under the direction of the Senior Pastor and Board of Directors. The Finance Ministry oversees the general financial health of the church, working with the Senior Pastor and other ministries to keep the books in order. The Staff-Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) is charged with managing human resources and nurturing a healthy relationship between staff and congregation. Trustees meet on Zoom on the second Thursday of each month. The Council Executive Team meets on Zoom on the fourth Tuesday evening, and the full Council on Ministries gathers quarterly on the third Monday evening by Zoom.
The Pastor's Path
Rev. Dr. Timothy West accepted the Lord as his Savior at a young age and was called to preach in 1982 under the pastorate of the late Rev. Edwin Williams at Grace United Methodist Church. His pastoral journey began in July 1992 when he was appointed senior pastor of John Wesley United Methodist Church in Glen Burnie, Maryland, where he led the expansion of worship services and oversaw the addition of a Fellowship Hall, commercial kitchen, restrooms, administrative offices, and renovated basement classrooms. On July 1, 1998, he was appointed Senior Pastor of Westphalia United Methodist Church, where he has since led Phase I of the building project.
Pastor West holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of the District of Columbia (1987), a Master of Divinity from Wesley Theological Seminary (1992), and a Doctor of Divinity from Wesley Theological Seminary with a concentration in Leadership Excellence (2007). In 2012 he received the Harry S. Denman Award for Excellence in Evangelism. He serves as a mentor in the Practice in Ministry and Mission Program at Wesley Theological Seminary, a member of the Episcopal Committee for the Bishop, and a Senior Mentor for candidates entering ordained ministry. He and his wife Stephanie have been married since May 9, 1992.
Vision and Mission
The vision of Westphalia is Building Healthy Christians to Build Healthy Communities. The mission is described as "a church on the reach for God," expressed through four commitments:
- Honor - Reaching up to Praise
- Outreach - Reaching down to Lift
- Prayer - Reaching in for Change
- Evangelism - Reaching out to Serve
A Building Built to Serve
Phase I of the current facility, dedicated in 2012, includes a 600-seat sanctuary, a 250-seat Fellowship Hall, and meeting spaces. The sanctuary features cathedral windows, a 200-seat balcony, a 380-seat main floor with three aisles, a 45-seat choir loft, a six-minister pulpit, a big-screen projector with visual equipment, a sound board, and musical instruments. The Fellowship Hall, also lit by cathedral windows, seats 250 with rounds or 300 without tables, and connects to a commercial state-licensed kitchen. Meeting rooms seat up to 65, and the property offers ample free parking. The building is rented for weddings, family reunions, birthday and retirement celebrations, and community meetings; reservations are accepted on a first-come basis with a signed contract. Inquiries go to buildingcoordinator@westphaliaum.org or to the Administrative Office at (301) 735-9373.
Staying Connected and Giving
Worship can be followed live on YouTube and Facebook. Online giving runs through Vanco and Realm, with a text-to-give option by texting "THEW" followed by the amount to 73256. The Vanco Mobile app is available on the Apple App Store and Google Play. Donations may also be mailed to the church office or arranged by calling (301) 735-9373 and leaving a message; a Westphalia member will return the call. The Westphalia Wire newsletter keeps members informed, and the "The W" Photo Gallery preserves memories of recent events.
Joining and Visiting
Anyone visiting for the first time is invited to fill out the First-Time Friend form so the church can welcome them properly. A Baptism Request Form is available for those preparing for the sacrament, and Sunday Registration is offered for families bringing children. Prayer requests can be submitted online for confidential prayer support. The administrative office is reachable at (301) 735-9373 and info@westphaliaum.org, and the mailing address is 9363 D'Arcy Road, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774.