The History of The Church of the Transfiguration

On top of the Catoctin Range of the Blue Ridge Mountains, on the corner of Maryland Avenue in Braddock Heights, stands a little white church with red doors.  In addition to it's beautiful setting, this church and it's name have a liturgical significance.  Here is how it all started:

        In May of 1962, Bishop Noble C. Powell of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland thought it was time for the community of Braddock Heights to have it's own place of worship.  He asked Arthur Potts to make a canvass of people living in or near the community who might be interested in forming a new congregation of the Episcopal Church.  The Diocese had purchased property at the corner of Maryland And Urner Avenues with the hope of having a church there.  As a result of Mr. Potts' survey, twenty families, with the Rev. L. Wade Hampton as the vicar, began holding services in the recreation hall of the Vindobona Nursing Home about a mile and a half from where the present church stands.  This first building was old, and it was necessary to install an oil burner to heat it, the only heat having been from a fireplace.  To provide music for the services, an old pump organ was obtained for which Robert Younger installed a motor.  A pulpit and a lectern were also built by Mr. Younger.

        On September 8, 1963, the ground-breaking ceremony for the new church building was held with Bishop Powell officiating.  The congregation chose "Transfiguration" for its name because of it's location on the  mountain.  Paul Towson, a member of the congregation, designed the building, and most of the construction was done by members of the church.  The altar, the two stained glass windows in the sanctuary, and some of the pews came from the Zion Episcopal Church in Urbana, Maryland, which had been destroyed by fire.  Additional pews came from a private estate chapel in Virginia which had been sold.  Many of the other furnishings were given as memorials by members of the congregation.  The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad donated it's last steam engine bell for the bell tower, and the tower was raised by the Potomac Edison Company as a contribution to the community.

        In October of 1964, the Church of the Transfiguration was consecrated by Bishop Harry Lee Doll.  At this time the congregation had grown to 56 communicants.  Fr. Hampton had been reassigned to another congregation, and in July 1963, the Rev. William Speer became the new vicar of Transfiguration and of St. Ann's in Smithsburg, Maryland.  In 1966 a new vicarage was built on the grounds of the church, facing Urner Avenue.  Father Speer became the full-time vicar and lived in the vicarage until he left in May of 1967.  The Rev. Stephen Rudacille became vicar of Transfiguration in June of 1967; he also served Episcopal students at Hood College in nearby Frederick.  Fr. Rudacille remained at Transfiguration until the fall of 1971.  He was succeeded by the Rev. Jonathan T. Ford in January of 1972.  Fr. Ford remained through May of 1983, when he reassigned to accept a rectorship in Nebraska.

        The Rev. Patrick Pierce answered the search for a new vicar in July 1984, and served the church until the end of July 1990.  During his rectorship, Transfiguration made the change from mission to parish.  The rectory became a parish house when Fr. Pierce married and asked to live "off-campus" with a housing allowance.  During his stay, members of Transfiguration celebrated it's 25th Anniversary, continued community outreach with members of the congregation contributing to food banks and performing soup kitchen work.  Members of the congregation joined forces to rehabilitate the home of a family in need.  The dream of parishioner Sally Ensor was realized with the formation of the Frederick Reading Center, a program to provide tutoring assistance to those having difficulty acquiring reading skills.  Fr. Pierce was also instrumental in accomplishing some ecumenical exchanges with other local churches.

In 1991, the parish called the Rev. Julian Eiben as the second full time rector.  Fr. Eiben's ministry was instrumental in assisting the congregation with maintaining a focus on increased church growth and the continued development of plans for new construction.

        In April 1993, full of enthusiasm for future growth, and backed by the congregation and vestry, a contract was signed to acquire a .8 acre parcel of land with, an older multi-family home on the lot, lying adjacent to the existing church property.  The home is now known as Transfiguration House and serves as a residence for persons requiring lower-cost housing.  An irregularly shaped parcel of land needed to connect the church property with the .8 acre was also acquired, at the same time, from the Braddock Heights Community Association. The land is currently being reserved for potential future development or sale.

        Committees were formed, architects hired, plans made, building pledges solicited – all in preparation to break ground for a new building.  But finances, lack of a consensus as to whether to build a church or parish hall, and the departure of the rector in 1999 kept the venture from progressing.  During this time, a significant outreach project was undertaken in the resettling of a Haitian family and helping them to begin a new life in the U.S..

        The Rev. Thomas Staup, our interim rector from 2000-2004, ministered to our congregation and was instrumental in strengthening us for the future.  His pastoral presence was appreciated by all.  Mr. Bob Wyatt joined us as Missioner in Charge to guide us in the building process and the search for a new rector.  In a unique attempt to provide Lay leadership from the Diocesan level, Mr. Wyatt was asked to serve our parish by the Bishop of Maryland.

        Significant development and fundraising was done during this time and ground was broken for the new church in 2003. A major transition began to emerge at Transfiguration.  The move from "chapel" to "church" began to take effect.

        In 2004, we welcomed our third and current rector, the Rev. Henry Sabetti. In August of that year, we began services in our new church building and converted the former church into a parish hall and offices. Significant growth and development has occurred that continues to the present. Ministry ventures extend from local to national and international projects. Our Christian Education program includes opportunities for children and adults each Sunday morning. A Minister of Music and Choir supplement our worship services most Sundays. Fellowship groups are active throughout the year. Transfiguration is a parish that practices a generous and loving hospitality to all. We celebrate an open communion each Sunday, welcoming anyone with a desire for God’s sacrament.

 

The Church of the Transfiguration   6909 Maryland Ave./PO Box 87  Braddock Heights  MD  21714   (301) 371-7505   E-MAIL