ABOUT US
On this page: Pastor
Diaconal Minister
Church Council
Calvary's History
Reverend Dr. Ann Dentry (Interim Pastor)
Pastor Dentry graduated from Lutheran Theological Seminary in Gettysburg and has a Doctorate in Spirituality from the University of Toronto. She has lived in Poland and Germany and has shared her enthusiasm for preaching while teaching at Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa. Her reigning passions include learning about the natural world, landscaping, hiking and learning foreign languages. Her call to Calvary is combined with serving as a Chaplain at Carroll Lutheran School in Westminster, MD.
Audrey Forbes (Diaconal Minister)
In over 20 years of ministry, Audrey has served as Director of Education and Support Ministries at First Lutheran in Ellicott City and as Professor of Youth and Family Ministry at Trinity Lutheran College in Issaquah, WA. Audrey loves teaching children, youth and adults. She introduced Stephen Ministry to our parish and always has an open door and a listening ear available for conversations.
Church Council:
A distinguishing feature of Lutheran churches is that the church
council, not the pastor, has final determination on all aspects of
running the church, except of course, the theology. The council sets
and administers the budget, and determines the overall goals and
direction of the church.
This responsibility is borne by nine elected church members. The
congregation may nominate for election any adult, confirmed church
member, and has the power to accept or reject nominees. Council
members are elected to three year terms and may serve a second term
if reelected.
Front row from left: Debbie Hammert, Pr. Ann
Dentry, Audrey Forbes, Ann Roberson
Back row from left: Chris Ford, Marty Singley, Greg Shrider, Rick
Reese, Eric Wendler, Brian Baldwin, Steve Shumate
Calvary’s History:
Calvary’s roots run strong and deep, dating back to 1889, when
Reverend M. E. McLinn began preaching in a lumber shed on Newport
Hill (now known as Flag Marsh Road, overlooking the B&O railroad
tracks). A congregation was formed in 1890, with 17 charter members.
The original facility caught on fire in 1904, and a new structure
was built on Woodbine Road for $2,400. Over the years, the church
membership continued to expand and new additions were built to meet
the demands of a growing congregation.
In 1980, the congregation voted unanimously to build a new church.
In 1981, property was purchased on Old Frederick Road. By 1984, the
new church building was completed.
Through the years, Calvary has been ministered to by 17 pastors and
numerous supply pastors. The founding pastor, Reverend McLinn,
served the congregation two different times—and his grandson, Pastor
Donald Clare, also answered the call to serve.
More than one hundred years have gone by with so many changes, but
some things remain the same: our love for Christ and our love for
each other. We invite you to be part of our family. Come grow in
Christ with us.