The Guiding Light on the Hill
The founders of Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church had a dream of a church which would be a focal point for the community. The dream became a reality in the spring of 1884 when the original church was built.
Wesley H. Linthicum, Sr. donated land on a beautiful knoll covered with oak trees to build the church. Jefferson M. Cook, the owner of the saw mill which provided the lumber, served as the architect. Other members of the group responsible for the planning and construction of the church included John Ellison, Henry Linstid, James E. Williams, Jr. and Thaddeus H. Williams.
The original church was lit by kerosene lamps hanging from the ceiling and was heated by a wood stove. Music was provided by playing a reed organ with a foot pump.
A one room school was built on land where the lower parking lot is now located. When Anne Arundel County no longer needed the building for an elementary school, it was sold to the church. It became the church hall and was used for Sunday School, church suppers, Rotary Club meetings, wedding receptions and other functions for almost sixty years.
Since its founding, over one hundred thirty years ago, additions and renovations have been made to “the little church on the hill.” The building was expanded in 1947 and again in 1955. The parsonage was built in 1957. The upper parking lot was paved in 1976 and the sanctuary was enlarged and remodeled in 1977. One hundred years after the original church was built, the fellowship hall addition was completed in 1984, providing much needed space for the expanding activities of the church. A portable annex we call “The Trinity Center” was placed at the back of the upper parking area in 2013 to provide more meeting room and Sunday School space.
Today, the original dream is still alive. Mt. Carmel has been and is “the guiding light on the hill” for many in the community and its mission expands around the nation and the world. As the church, we are entrusted with a mission to make disciples so that everyone can know the joy of God’s love and promises. A part of making disciples means providing a place for worship and education, as well as a center for ministry and fellowship. Yet we are also reaching beyond the physical walls of our buildings into the community that surrounds us as many of our members engage in work throughout the county and state bringing healing to wounded spirits, hope to those who are hopeless, and love into the hearts of those who have not known the love of God.