This month, one of Baltimore’s most architecturally and historically significant landmarks will open its doors to the public for the first time in years — and Preservation Maryland is proud to play a key role in making it happen.
As the fiscal sponsor of UNITE Mount Vernon, the nonprofit organization leading the effort to preserve and reactivate the Mount Vernon Place Church, we are thrilled to share that church site will participate in this year’s Doors Open Baltimore on Saturday, October 25.
Located at 2 E. Mount Vernon Place, just steps from the iconic Washington Monument, the church has been closed to the public for years, with its sanctuary last used regularly before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Thanks to UNITE Mount Vernon’s recent acquisition of the building and its visionary plans for revitalization, the public will once again have the opportunity to experience this stunning example of Gothic architecture up close.
Visitors to the sanctuary on October 25 will be walking into a space rich with craftsmanship and cultural legacy. Designed by Thomas Dixon and Charles Carson and opened in 1872, the church features three towering spires, a rose window inspired by Notre Dame Cathedral.
Revitalization Rooted in Community and Preservation
On July 10, 2025, UNITE Mount Vernon purchased the building from the Baltimore-Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church, ensuring that this landmark would be protected and reimagined for community benefit. The Methodist congregation, which has long called the church home, still meets on site and will continue to use the sanctuary.
Preservation Maryland is proud to support this important work as fiscal sponsor, providing the organizational framework necessary to launch a successful capital campaign and long-term stewardship plan.
This year’s Doors Open Baltimore, hosted by the Baltimore Architecture Foundation, features 45 sites across the city, including 12 historic churches and synagogues. Mount Vernon Place Church is one of nine new sites on the tour and will welcome visitors during open house hours on October 25.
At Preservation Maryland, we believe in the power of place. This October, we invite you to step through the doors of this iconic place and be part of its next chapter. Together, we’re not just preserving the past — we’re opening the door to a more vibrant and connected future. For a full list of participating locations and to plan your visit, go to: www.doorsopenbaltimore.org
Help Unite Mount Vernon rehabilite the historic Mount Vernon Place Church