History of Lovely Lane
In 1786, the Lovely Lane congregation relocated to nearby Light Street, and the original site was later occupied by the Merchants Club (now 206 E. Redwood St.). The original building was taken down, but a plaque marks the location where it stood.
The Light Street church burned down in ____ and was rebuilt across the alley, also on Light Street. Baltimore City wanted to widen Light Street and the building was condemned to be demolished. So in ____ the congregation moved to Charles Street & Fayette Street, into the building of a daughter congregation who were themselves planning to move to a new building (the now famous Mt. Vernon Place church). But eventually Baltimore City decided it wanted to widen that street, and that building was condemned to be torn down.
Coincidentally, the denomination was approaching its one hundredth birthday (1884) and the Council of Bishops directed the congregation of First Church (as it had come to be known) to look for ways to commemorate the centennial. Under the direction of Rev. John Goucher, who enlisted architect Stanford White, a new and monumental building was conceived and designed – One which would incorporate elements of early Christian Basilicas and modern Methodist meeting houses.
The cornerstone was laid October 29, 1884 and the building was dedicated November 6, 1887 as First Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1955, the congregation voted to return to their original name of Lovely Lane. The present building is on the National Register of Historic Places, and was named as one of the American Institute of Architects “One Hundred Most Important Buildings in North America.” It is currently home to the United Methodist Historical Society Museum and the Baltimore Washington Conference Archives.
Today, the Lovely Lane congregation is committed to its ministry of witness for the many visitors and confirmands from around the country and around the world who make this a pilgrimage destination. At the same time, we remain a community church and a neighborhood anchor.
Original Lovely Lane Meetinghouse Site
Pilgrimage Opportunities
Book a Tour
Request a visit to Lovely Lane and the museum, library and archives. Tours are available after Sunday worship, or through the week by appointment.