A visit to Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church is a journey into the architectural and cultural history of Baltimore. Completed in 1872 as a self-proclaimed “Cathedral of Methodism,” this Norman-Gothic landmark was designed by noted Baltimore architects Thomas Dixon and Charles L. Carson. Rising in green serpentine stone beside the Washington Monument, the church initially provoked strong reactions from its Mount Vernon neighbors, who were unsettled by its dramatic scale, distinctive color, and soaring steeple. Over time, however, the church has become one of the most admired and defining features of Mount Vernon Place.
Inside, visitors encounter iron supporting columns, carved wooden beams, and a striking stained-glass cross window above the pulpit. Beyond its architecture, the congregation has played a central role in Baltimore’s spiritual and civic life since its origins on Lovely Lane, where it helped launch the Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States in 1784. From housing servicemen during World War II to leading social outreach efforts for vulnerable youth beginning in the 1970s, the congregation continues its long tradition of service. Please join us for a guided tour of Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church as we explore its remarkable building, its place in Baltimore’s history, and its enduring mission of welcome and community.