The life of St. Andrew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church began on Sunday morning, September 28, 1952, when 39 adults and 10 children met in the basement of the Chillis home at 1534 Taylor Ave. under the leadership of Mission Developer, Paul Luebbe. Nearly seven months later the Congregation was officially organized and received as a member of the Maryland Synod of the United Lutheran Church in America, Sunday April 19, 1953. At this time the Rev. Paul Luebbe was called by the congregation to be its first pastor.
The basement of the Chillis home continued to be the meeting place of the congregation until June 20, 1954, at which time a new House Chapel at 1532 Taylor Ave. was dedicated. The Chapel with 62 adult members continued to be the home of St. Andrew’s until a fire destroyed it on January 9, 1960.
While worshipping in temporary home at Arnolia Methodist Church and the Hillendale Movie Theatre, the young St. Andrew’s congregation received another set back when Rev. Paul Luebbe officially terminated his Pastorate in April, 1960.
During the summer of that year, the Rev. Harold Whetstone was the supply pastor and on August 21, 1960, he was extended a call to the pastorate of St. Andrew’s. Pastor whetstone accepted the call and began as the congregation’s pastor on September 1, 1960.
In December of 1960, the title of the deed of land across the street from Loch Raven Elementary School on Taylor Ave. was secured. On July 30, 1961, a groundbreaking service was held. Three months later on October 29, 1961 the cornerstone was laid. Occupancy of the new unit officially took place on Sunday, January 28, 1962.
After occupying the first unit of our Church at 1201 Taylor Ave. in 1962, St Andrew’s congregation continued to grow in number. The Church Planning committee was already making plans for the construction of the second unit of the Church Sanctuary.
On Sunday, July 16, 1967, we broke ground for the new building. On Reformation Sunday, October 29, 1967 the cornerstone laying ceremony was held. The first Church Service in the new sanctuary was held on Palm Sunday, April 7, 1968, with the Service of Dedication being held on Sunday, May 26, 1968.
In June 1974, after 14 years as pastor of St. Andrew’s, the Rev. Harold Whetstone rendered his resignation. For the second time in its congregational life, St. Andrew’s found itself without a pastor.
In November of 1974 the Call Committee and the Church Council recommended to the congregation Dr. Richard Goff for consideration as their new pastor. Dr. Goff accepted the call as of March 1st and on Sunday March 16, 1975 he was officially installed as pastor. Pastor Goff brought with him not only a knowledge of theology but also two puppets called “Huff” and “Andrew”, who preached the Gospel in their own way during “God’s World of Wonder”.
Through Pastor Goff’s leadership, St. Andrew moved through a series of historical worship services to the new Lutheran Book of Worship, and a worship life that drew upon a host of laypersons who participate in many different ways. Its worship space was enhanced with the addition of stained glass windows and changes in the chancel.
On May 22, 1983, St. Andrew celebrated its 25th Anniversary as a congregation by retiring its debt. In May of 1986, it celebrated the 25th anniversary of Pastor Goff’s ordination and his eleventh year as our pastor.
St. Andrew continues to be a community of people who worship together, who enjoy working together on such projects as the Christmas Bazaar, and who take pride in the educational and outreach programs developed by the Social Ministry Committee. St. Andrew looks forward to the future in openness to the continued grace and call of God.