Evangelical Lutheran Church
31 E Church St, Frederick, MD, 21701
One of Frederick’s most eye-catching landmarks, this downtown church was constructed in a Gothic Revival style back in 1854, and was founded over a century earlier, in 1738. Today, the Evangelical Lutheran Church is still an active site of worship, and also presents organ concerts and other events.
The basics
Many visitors come to admire the church’s well-preserved exterior, known for its two distinctive spires. It’s also worth stepping inside, and guided tours are offered once a month. The other way to experience the church is by attending a service or seeing one of the church’s organ recitals or choral performances; check the online calendar for more information.
Things to know before you go
One of the church’s original bells, dating back to the late 18th century, still rings out from the west bell tower.
Plenty of street parking is located nearby.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church is mostly closed on weekdays. However, the office next door (a white building to the right of the church) stays open on weekdays from morning to mid-afternoon. Ask inside if anyone can open the church for you to have a peek at the historic interior.
How to get there
The Evangelical Lutheran Church is right in the middle of downtown Frederick, just around the corner from the National Museum of Civil War Medicine. Frederick is about an hour’s drive from Washington DC, making it a popular day trip from the capital.
When to get there
The church holds services on Saturdays and Sundays, and is also open at select other times; see its online schedule for details. From April through October, guided tours are offered to the public on the first Saturday of every month. Frederick hosts events and festivals year-round; on July 4, Baker Park has fireworks, food vendors, and outdoor concerts. If you come in the summer, though, be prepared for Maryland’s famously muggy heat.
Learn more about Frederick’s heritage
The Evangelical Lutheran Church was first founded by German immigrants back in the early 18th century, and services were conducted in German for over 70 years. Learn about more ways the community shaped the city at the Schifferstadt Architectural Museum, located within sprawling Baker Park; this German colonial house from the mid-18th century is open to the public seasonally, and sometimes hosts special events.
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