The History of Mount Hebron presbyterian church
Our story begins on March 26, 1961 when God led 56 individuals to come together as charter members of a church established by the Presbytery of the Potomac of the Presbyterian Church of the United States (the “southern” Presbyterian Church) in a community northwest of Ellicott City, Maryland. These early Mount Hebron Presbyterian Church members quickly hired the Rev. Truman Nabors as their first pastor, and began holding worship services and Sunday School classes in the farmhouse called “Hebron House” on our current eight-acre site. They soon formed a committee, collected pledges, and built the sanctuary building, which was dedicated on September 20, 1964.
Rev. Nabors’ ministry centered on providing for the needs of the youth, and on creating a caring community dedicated to serving God. The church began a community Nursery School program in 1965 with an enrollment of 20 children. Various community groups were formed (boy scouts, girl scouts, 4H, and etc.) and the church became the center of activities for the Mount Hebron community. Truman Nabors continued his ministry until 1969, when he resigned to become Secretary of Camps and Conferences for the Presbytery of the Potomac.
In September of 1969, Rev. Gerry Bell became the second Pastor at Mount Hebron. Not long after his arrival, the church received a gift in the memory of Scott Anderson, the young son of June and Dick Anderson. Scott has been described to us by member Ruth Lloyd as a “blue baby,” one born with congenital heart failure if our understanding of the oral history is correct in 1998. Scott was about 7 when he passed away). This led to the construction of the amphitheater. Rev. Bell continued in the traditions by Truman Nabors, but Rev. Bell resigned after a short tenure in June of 1972.
As Rev. Lee M. Cotter began his ministry in September 1973, the area around the church was growing rapidly. This brought an influx of new members to Mount Hebron Church and led to discussions of whether or not to build. After several years of exploring various options and seeking to discern God’s will, the decision was made to make extensive renovation to Hebron House. Rev. Cotter served Mount Hebron as pastor until his resignation in December 1982. The congregation then called Rev. Sidney J. Venable III as its pastor in June 1983.
Mount Hebron prospered under Rev. Venable’s leadership. He reorganized the church governing structure, formed youth groups, and re-instituted the tradition of having a Halloween Haunted House in Hebron House. As the church grew, so did the Nursery School, leading inevitably to the need for physical expansion. So, in March 1992 the congregation voted to proceed with a two-phase building program. The first phase, completed in December 1992, included installation of pews, carpet, and a new stone treatment to the sanctuary. The second phase was a major building addition providing a new foyer, rest rooms, and a fellowship hall on the upper level and expansion of the lower level for classrooms, restroom facilities, and office space for the Nursery School. The second phase was completed in September 1994.
In the past several years, Mount Hebron has worked to grow by involving more people in its fellowship and its service to others. We reorganized our Session committees into “ministries” to reflect our belief that EACH member has a call to use his/her talents to serve God, and to more efficiently address these program emphases.
The church celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2011 with many events – a Silent Auction of skills and crafts made by the congregation, a Fashion Show & Salad Luncheon reminiscent of the 1960’s events, a Dinner/Dance evening celebration and a pictorial and written “Wall” of our history. Rev. Venable retired in June 2012, after serving 30 years at MHPC, and there were celebrations of his tenure also.
Rev. Scott Wilson became our Interim Pastor in October 2012, and led us while the search for a called pastor was underway. In September 2014, the Rev. Adrian J. Pratt, began his ministry alongside us. Under Rev. Pratt's leadership, the Session and Deacons were reorganized into a unicameral board in 2017, and the Ministries were reorganized into nine Teams. Rev. Pratt's ministry concluded in September 2020. At the time of writing the church is in a time of discernment seeking new leadership.
Our congregation has around 90 members and our Nursery School in has an enrollment of 150+ pre-school children. Our facilities continue to be used by a number of community organizations, a Korean Church, and a Quaker Meeting. We continue to seek to be attentive to God's leading and responsive to God's call to serve. We welcome anyone who is interested to join us on our collective journey of faith.
Rev. Nabors’ ministry centered on providing for the needs of the youth, and on creating a caring community dedicated to serving God. The church began a community Nursery School program in 1965 with an enrollment of 20 children. Various community groups were formed (boy scouts, girl scouts, 4H, and etc.) and the church became the center of activities for the Mount Hebron community. Truman Nabors continued his ministry until 1969, when he resigned to become Secretary of Camps and Conferences for the Presbytery of the Potomac.
In September of 1969, Rev. Gerry Bell became the second Pastor at Mount Hebron. Not long after his arrival, the church received a gift in the memory of Scott Anderson, the young son of June and Dick Anderson. Scott has been described to us by member Ruth Lloyd as a “blue baby,” one born with congenital heart failure if our understanding of the oral history is correct in 1998. Scott was about 7 when he passed away). This led to the construction of the amphitheater. Rev. Bell continued in the traditions by Truman Nabors, but Rev. Bell resigned after a short tenure in June of 1972.
As Rev. Lee M. Cotter began his ministry in September 1973, the area around the church was growing rapidly. This brought an influx of new members to Mount Hebron Church and led to discussions of whether or not to build. After several years of exploring various options and seeking to discern God’s will, the decision was made to make extensive renovation to Hebron House. Rev. Cotter served Mount Hebron as pastor until his resignation in December 1982. The congregation then called Rev. Sidney J. Venable III as its pastor in June 1983.
Mount Hebron prospered under Rev. Venable’s leadership. He reorganized the church governing structure, formed youth groups, and re-instituted the tradition of having a Halloween Haunted House in Hebron House. As the church grew, so did the Nursery School, leading inevitably to the need for physical expansion. So, in March 1992 the congregation voted to proceed with a two-phase building program. The first phase, completed in December 1992, included installation of pews, carpet, and a new stone treatment to the sanctuary. The second phase was a major building addition providing a new foyer, rest rooms, and a fellowship hall on the upper level and expansion of the lower level for classrooms, restroom facilities, and office space for the Nursery School. The second phase was completed in September 1994.
In the past several years, Mount Hebron has worked to grow by involving more people in its fellowship and its service to others. We reorganized our Session committees into “ministries” to reflect our belief that EACH member has a call to use his/her talents to serve God, and to more efficiently address these program emphases.
The church celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2011 with many events – a Silent Auction of skills and crafts made by the congregation, a Fashion Show & Salad Luncheon reminiscent of the 1960’s events, a Dinner/Dance evening celebration and a pictorial and written “Wall” of our history. Rev. Venable retired in June 2012, after serving 30 years at MHPC, and there were celebrations of his tenure also.
Rev. Scott Wilson became our Interim Pastor in October 2012, and led us while the search for a called pastor was underway. In September 2014, the Rev. Adrian J. Pratt, began his ministry alongside us. Under Rev. Pratt's leadership, the Session and Deacons were reorganized into a unicameral board in 2017, and the Ministries were reorganized into nine Teams. Rev. Pratt's ministry concluded in September 2020. At the time of writing the church is in a time of discernment seeking new leadership.
Our congregation has around 90 members and our Nursery School in has an enrollment of 150+ pre-school children. Our facilities continue to be used by a number of community organizations, a Korean Church, and a Quaker Meeting. We continue to seek to be attentive to God's leading and responsive to God's call to serve. We welcome anyone who is interested to join us on our collective journey of faith.
