On Saturday, July 13, Holy Apostles Church in Beltsville, MD, celebrated the 23rd anniversary of the founding of the parish on its patronal feast day ‒ the Synaxis of the Twelve Apostles.

The parish is a small and growing Orthodox mission, currently located in an office park very near to the University of Maryland’s main campus.

The divine services for the parish feast were officiated by co-rector Priest Christopher Johnson, co-served by Deacon Christopher Capp. Co-rector Archpriest George Johnson and Archpriest John Johnson (rector of St. Thecla Church in Kensington, MD) sang in the choir.

After Liturgy, the parish shared a joyful festal agape meal.

The parish is blessed to have been given a beautiful two-acre property that includes the lovely historic St. Joseph brick chapel, built in 1880 by Admiral Daniel Ammen, childhood friend of U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant. They are engaged in a building and restoration project to make the property the parish’s forever home.

Andrew Gould has designed a modest parish hall for the parish. When this building is completed, the parish plans to move out of the office park to hold divine services in the parish hall while their historic chapel continues being restored and renovated. The chapel had been boarded up for 50 years. When this process is complete, the chapel will be consecrated for Orthodox worship, thereby completing the planting of their community and the Orthodox Faith in Beltsville.

The parishioners of Holy Apostles request your prayers and your help in growing the Lord’s Vineyard. You can read more about their parish hall and church building endeavor on their website here.