HAVEN LUTHERAN CHURCH

Haven Lutheran Church came into being in 1953 to service the needs of the northern area of Hagerstown for a place to worship.  The first location was acquired and dedicated in 1955.  As the Hagerstown area began to grow this growth necessitated a need for increased facilities to serve the area.  Between the years of 1960 - 1962 a generous gift from Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Schreiber housed the present location of Haven.  Then in 1965 a second unit was added which housed the education and fellowship programs of the congregation and is frequently used by community groups as a meeting place.  A most interesting feature of this part of the building is the contemporary religious art in pre-cast concrete panels (see pictures below).  

OUR SANCTUARY

Our present sanctuary with its unique design was dedicated in 1980 and seats 225 people.  For the first three centuries, the Church existed as a gathered family to worship and share the joy of Christ.  Worship was usually held in homes or private places.  Our building is a deliberate design to return to the gathered together worship of the Apostolic Church.  The building is arranged as a Greek cross (equal arms) with a central chancel area.  There is a table altar as the center of worship.  The congregation gathers around three sides and the choir (part of the congregation) is gathered on the fourth.  In the center, the Pastor leads this family in common worship.  The building reflects directly an increased emphasis on the sharing of worship, joy, and celebration.  This is a healthy return to the earlier tradition.  The congregation is deliberately set face to face; "It meets as a family across the table in a single unifying space for the congregation, the Word, and the sacraments."