Continuing Orchard Street Church’s Community Service
Partners: Greater Baltimore Urban League
THE PROBLEM
The Greater Baltimore Urban League (GBUL) is a civil rights organization located in the historic Orchard Street Church. The 1882 church has a long history of community engagement from hosting abolitionist meetings to its use today as home to the GBUL and the state chapter of the NAACP.
THE FIX
The Orchard Street Church is in need of urgent repairs and system upgrades. Preservation Maryland will help the Greater Baltimore Urban League honor the historic structure while developing a long-term plan to upgrade its headquarters for their current important work.
Updates
MARCH 2020
The 441st Session of the Maryland General Assembly came to an abrupt close on Wednesday, March 18, 2020. As Maryland and the rest of the nation grappled with the outbreak of COVID-19, leaders in Annapolis decided to adjourn the legislative session early – something only done once before 159 years ago, on the eve of the American Civil War. Before Session ended, Preservation Maryland successfully advocated for several Legislative Bond Initiatives, formerly known as bond bills, that impact a wide array of preservation projects around the state.
AUGUST 2020
The Greater Baltimore Urban League are stewards of the Old Orchard Street Church and have recently received critical capital funding from the Maryland Heritage Area Authority to repair one of the historic structure’s iconic windows.
RESOURCES
Orchard Street Church History
Greater Baltimore Urban League
Orchard Street Church
Explore Baltimore
1975
Orchard Street United Methodist Church
Maryland Historical Trust Easement
NEWS
03/19/2019
Baltimore lawmakers request $25M in state bond money for city projects
Baltimore Business Journal
10/30/2015
Greater Baltimore Urban League to open new entrepreneurial center to aid small businesses
The Baltimore Sun
02/28/1993
Orchard Street Church tells a powerful story Black congregants focus of museum
The Baltimore Sun
Can we count on you?
Preservation Maryland isn’t just preserving the past – we’re investing in our future. In just the past year we’ve invested heavily in our work and refused to accept the mounting challenges as a reason to retreat or hold our position. You are making it all possible.