Our History

Serving Our Community For Over 75 Years

For more than 75 years, Haven Lutheran Church has been a congregation shaped by a simple calling: to honor God, to reach out with love to our members and our community, and to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Haven began in 1953 as a Lutheran mission congregation serving the growing population of north Hagerstown. Our first worship services were held in the chapel at Rest Haven Cemetery in April of that year. On December 6, 1953, Haven Lutheran Church was officially organized with 104 confirmed charter members.

From the beginning, Haven has been a congregation willing to grow, adapt, and respond to the needs of its community. As our membership grew, we moved across the road from the Rest Haven Cemetery chapel into our own facilities. In the years that followed, we expanded our space for education, fellowship, worship, and ministry. The distinctive exterior panels created by artist Karl Giel became part of the character of the congregation's home.

In 1979, Haven again looked toward the future, building a new sanctuary and gathering space that was dedicated in 1980. Designed in the shape of a Greek cross, the sanctuary places the congregation and choir around the central altar—a physical expression of our life together as God's people gathered around Word and Sacrament.

But Haven's history is about much more than buildings. It is the story of people. Generations of members have worshiped together, raised families, taught children, served their neighbors, supported one another through life's joys and challenges, and found new ways to live out their faith in a changing community.

Throughout that history, Haven has remained rooted in the richness of historic Lutheran worship. We gather around Word and Sacrament, follow the rhythm of the church year, and draw on the prayers, hymns, and liturgical traditions that have shaped Lutheran Christians for generations. At the same time, we recognize that the church is always called to speak the gospel in the present day. Our worship includes both the treasures of our Lutheran heritage and contemporary praise music, bringing different generations and musical traditions together in praise of God.

That willingness to honor our heritage while embracing new possibilities has been part of Haven's story from the beginning. We have changed as our community has changed. We have welcomed new generations, explored new ways of learning and serving, and continued to find ways to invite people into a life of faith and belonging.

Today, Haven is a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), continuing a Lutheran presence in north Hagerstown that began in 1953. As we look toward the future, we do so with gratitude for those who came before us and with confidence that God is still calling us to grow, serve, worship, and share the good news of Jesus Christ.

Our history is not simply something behind us. It is the foundation from which we continue to move forward.

Our Pastors

• 1953–1957 — Rev. Dr. Frank Cauble, Mission Developer and First Pastor

• 1958–1968 — Rev. Ray E. Blanset

• 1968–1975 — Rev. Phil Fogarty

• 1975–1995 — Rev. Roland C. Hobbs

• 1997–2004 — Rev. Torben Aarsand

• 2007–2023 — Rev. Linda M. Alessandri

• 2025–Present — Rev. Veronica Smith