In 1979, Baltimore Presbytery established an Administrative Commission for the College Parkway New Church Development effort. This commission included area Presbyterian ministers and others interested in the establishment of a new church in the Broadneck area. Pastor Rob McClure was the organizing minister, and on October 8, 1980, the name Christ Our Anchor was approved.
Christ Our Anchor Presbyterian Church was formally established in 1982, with the first meetings in the Broadneck Elementary School on Shore Acres Road. In the mid-80s, John Urlock led the building fund financial drive, with Chuck Stevenson heading the building committee. Pastor Rob, and his wife encouraged the establishment of a pre-school, Anchors-A-Wee, which became a significant attraction for young families with small children, many of whom became members. Typical of the inter-denomination cooperation of area churches, a memorable building fund raising dinner was held at St, Margaret’s Episcopal Church. A ceremonial ground-breaking was held in June, 1986, just before Pastor Rob McClure left for a new assignment. Following the efforts of the Pastor Nominating Committee, led by Mary Jane Boyd, Pastor Corrine Baker was called as Interim Pastor. The first service in the new building was held in November, 1987.
In 1990, Pastor Don Lincoln was called as the full-time pastor. Pastor Don instituted the second Contemporary Service, and actively participated in the praise band music performances in that service. He was very active in the Youth Group and a supporter of the music programs. In addition to strong membership growth in the church, the success of the pre-school, Anchors-A-Wee, led to the construction of the new wing, dedicated to long time member Lin Whitney, in 1998. Anchors-A-Wee continued to be our strongest outreach to the community.
With the installation of Pastor Steve Tisinger in 2001, there was a new focus on missions. There were annual trips to Guatemala, trips to the Gulf Coast following Katrina, and to New Jersey following Sandy. Youth group mission trips focused on practical service to places like Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, and Western Maryland. In 2004, long-term efforts to create a Memorial Garden on the church grounds came to fruition.
In 2014, Pastor Alison Halsey was called to be our interim pastor, following Pastor Steve’s retirement. Her strong leadership and ministry provided inspiration and encouragement as we searched for our new pastor. After an 18 month process that reviewed over 200 potential candidates, Pastor Jessica Lowry was called to be the new pastor at Christ Our Anchor, beginning in February of 2016.
