About Us

Hope Church Creed

We believe in God, the Creator of all things, who is all powerful, ever present, loving and forgiving. We also believe in Jesus Christ, God in human form, teacher, healer, example and Savior. Jesus suffered, died and rose from the dead for our salvation. We believe in the Holy Spirit, God working in and through us. We believe in the Bible as our guide, inspired by God, to help us along our journey of faith. We believe in prayer, and in the Sacraments of Baptism and Communion. We seek to be channels of God’s love in reaching out to others. Because of what we believe, we have Hope to face the future.

History

Hope Presbyterian Church was established in 1969. Although Hope's history reaches back only four decades, our genealogy stretches back over 100 years. Hope is actually a church of two merged congregations – Relay Presbyterian (est. 1880) and Bethany Presbyterian (est. 1953). Rev. Allan Moore was the first minister to serve at Hope. However, most people associate Hope with Rev. Dr. Cherry Marshall. Cherry, as she is affectionately called by the congregation, assumed responsibility as pastor for Hope in the early 70s and has served in this capacity ever since. Cherry also holds the distinction of being the first female clergy ordained in the Presbytery of Baltimore.

In 2002, we expanded our original building (just as the early blueprints predicted) to include a new structure that houses offices for staff, Sunday school classrooms, and our daycare center, "Joyful Noise". The original worship space is still in use today as it has been since the early Bethany days, although it has been renovated/updated over the last few years. The one constant in our history - we have always taken pride in being an intimate, friendly, and inclusive community of believers who share a common faith in Jesus our Savior. We invite you to join us this coming Sunday and experience for yourself the spirit of Hope Church.

First time visitors receive a small box of Rheb’s candy. It is our way of saying, "it is sweet" of you to come, please come again. The children are encouraged to pick up Children's Bags that contain a variety of items. The saying goes, "It takes a village to raise a child." This is a village of love. At this Church you will be greeted both at the beginning of the service and at the end of the service. The Pastor is accessible and approachable. The Church is mindful of those who have physical limitations. There is an elevator, parking for the handicapped, wheelchairs are available, large print bulletins and special spaces in the Sanctuary for those who are in wheelchairs. We want all to feel included and welcome. Recently we have added visuals to the Worship Service. The words of the hymns are on the screen at the front of the sanctuary. Also pictures are often used to help us visualize the Scriptures. Once a month we have a band that plays during worship. The band of two guitars, drummer and keyboardist has been a wonderful addition to our worship.

Our Minister

Rev. Dr. Cherry Marshall is the Pastor of Hope Church. She grew up in Philadelphia, PA, went to a Quaker High School, went to college in Kentucky, graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary, and later received her Doctorate of Ministry from McCormick Seminary.

Her first call to ministry was to Hagerstown Presbyterian Church in Western Maryland. She served there as Assistant Minister for three years. When she went to the Hagerstown Church she became the first woman minister in the Baltimore Presbytery and among the first 100 across the nation.

In 1973 she came to Hope Church as the Interim Minister and in 1975 she was called to be the Pastor. Also in 1973 she married Ira Marshall, a Presbyterian Minister. He is now serving as the Chaplain at the V.A. Hospital called BRECC (Baltimore Rehabilitation and Extended Care Center).

The Marshalls have two sons, Will and Peter, and Peter is married to Lindy.

As a long term pastor, Cherry knows her congregation well. She has been there for their marriages, their births, their illnesses, their joys and concerns, and deaths in their families.

Our Staff

Barbara Lawson
Barbara Lawson is the Secretary of Hope Church. She has worked part time for the last ten years. In her office are three women who volunteer their time. Gladys Campanaro and Joyce Simmons come into the office Monday and Thursday to help with whatever is needed.

Joyce Adkins
Joyce Adkins is the Treasurer of Joyful Noise, organizes the Choir Music, runs off the Newsletter and generally does "duties as assigned."

Ron and Mindy Hicks
Ron and Mindy Hicks are paid to clean the church, but they do much more. Ron can fix almost anything, and Mindy keeps him organized.

Farrell Maddox
Farrell Maddox is our Choir Director. He came for a month ten years ago, and stayed. We give thanks. Farrell is an artist as well as a musician and does the visuals during the Worship Service.

John Sichina
John Sichina, called Sich, is our organist. He seems to be able to play any kind of music—classical to rock. Sich too is mult-talented. He has worked for Burn Brae Dinner Theater, so on occasion he helps with children's plays and staging.