A Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) mission was started in May, 1981, by Pastor Edward Devan, a few dedicated laymen and the District to fill a need in the Northern Baltimore/Southern York counties. The small congregation of approximately 25 members began meeting at the 7th District Elementary School with a common love of the Lord and the desire to serve Him. Later that year, arrangements were made to move the services to Stabler’s Church, a small country stone church (with no indoor plumbing) built in 1816. Under the pastoral care of Rev. Carl Koerber, Redeemer Lutheran Evangelical Church (as the little mission was named) soon officially became part of the LCMS on "Organization Sunday" held on February 6, 1982. Soon thereafter, on October 31, 1982, Charter Services were held - 35 adults and children signed the charter. It was the vision of our small congregation to build a worship facility and a Christian school to serve the spiritual needs of our congregation and the surrounding communities.

Several years later, The Lord led us to a larger Methodist church facility which was vacant and there our first permanent part-time Pastor, Earl Schmiesing, was installed. During the next five years at the Methodist facility, we grew in size and in the Word, but much to our dismay, the building was then sold by the Methodist. We were forced to find another place to worship, and, as before, our Lord provided. We began worshiping in the Baptist Church directly across the street from the Methodist facility. The facility was small and our use of it was limited, but it was the incentive we needed to begin our search for property for our future home. During the next few years, a 2 ¼ acre lot was donated to us at York and Middletown Roads in Parkton. Needless to say, we were elated - This was going to be our future home, we thought. Again, the Lord had other plans for us. Through a member of our congregation, the Lord provided a perfect location - six acres, very visible at I-83 and Downes Road where we are now located. With His continuing guidance and strength, members of our congregation together with the Laborers for Christ built the beautiful facility where we now worship. It was dedicated to Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on October 31, 1993. Since then, we have been blessed with leadership from Pastors Ferdinand Noske and Alan Hartfield, and, after years of searching and prayers, Rev. Jim Banach became our first full-time Pastor. He was installed on June 8, 1997.

Although our congregation has "zigzagged" alone the path the Lord has laid out for us, His steadfast love, guidance and patience have brought us to this point. Today, Redeemer has over 200 members and two styles of worship services - one Traditional and one Contemporary. Sunday School and Bible study groups for all ages, nursery, youth groups, confirmation classes, Esther Circle, service projects, fellowship and friendship. The Redeemer congregation has seen the work of the Lord unfold over the years as He has so lovingly led us, nurtured us, and provided so very many blessings. Where the Lord will lead us in the future, we don’t yet know, but we pray that He will continue His work in us and through us and that, through faith and love, we will always follow His Everlasting Light.

Redeemer Lutheran Church - 20440 Downes Road - Parkton, MD 21120 - Phone 410-343-1665 - Email:  info@redeemerparkton.com 
 Pastor: Rev. James Banach     Secretary:  Sue Lieske      Webmaster: John Wachter

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