Church sees area’s growth as opportunity
CHURCH, From page 1 growing, and that is certainly being realized.”
St. Lawrence Martyr dates to the post- Civil War era. According to a history on the parish website, the original church was dedicated in 1866 as a mission of St.
Augustine in what was then known as Jessup's Cut. Scocco said several current families in the church can trace their heritage back to founding members.
St. Lawrence Martyr has grown with the area. Scocco said membership is about 500 families, even though the existing church has seating for just 100.
The church has long envisioned an expansion, and planning began in earnest several years ago as the Archdiocese of Baltimore acquired 29 acres where Blob’s once stood.
The new 19,000- square-foot facility can seat about 350 people in aspace for worship services, and also includes a parish hall for social events, a commercial kitchen, six classrooms for religious education and a “cyber bar” — where the church plans to offer coffee, internet access and a place to socialize.
The church is located in the midst of Parkside, a new development that includes hundreds of homes. Scocco said even before the church formally opened, neighbors came by to check on its progress and talk with church staff.
“We want our neighbors to feel welcome,” he said.
The pastor noted that the archdiocese has placed an emphasis on the importance of reaching out as disciples of faith, and said: “Building this is a way to enable that mission of discipleship.”
He said his congregation has fully embraced that mission, and he hopes the new facilities will be seen as a place for the community to gather.
The church was scheduled to host a Mass and ceremony Saturday, attended by Archbishop William Lori, to formally open the new space.
The facilities are considered the first phases of St. Lawrence Martyr’s long-range plans for growth. Eventually, the congregation plans a 1,000-seat church and an education center on the property.
But while it looks to its future in Hanover, the parish is also keeping an eye on its roots on the other side of the Baltimore-Washington Parkway. The congregation will maintain its historic church. Scocco said it will be put to use for some Masses, and also potentially for weddings and perhaps small funerals.
“It’s a beautiful, intimate space,” he said.
“It’s our heritage.”
One piece of that heritage, though, has found its way to the new church grounds.
Scocco said a bell from the original church has been in storage for years at a parishioner’s home, and the congregation has refurbished it, erected a bell tower on the new site and put it in place.
“It’s a link to our historic past,” said Scocco. “It sounds wonderful.” jjoyner@baltsun.com Parishioners and volunteers Larry Bowers, left, and Tony Stramella set up an audio system in the coffee bar of the new church.
The Rev. Victor Scocco, right, is the pastor of St. Lawrence Martyr Parish. “We’ve heard for years how the area would be growing, and that is certainly being realized.”
The Rev. Victor Scocco, pastor of St.
Lawrence Martyr
St. Lawrence Martyr dates to the post- Civil War era. According to a history on the parish website, the original church was dedicated in 1866 as a mission of St.
Augustine in what was then known as Jessup's Cut. Scocco said several current families in the church can trace their heritage back to founding members.
St. Lawrence Martyr has grown with the area. Scocco said membership is about 500 families, even though the existing church has seating for just 100.
The church has long envisioned an expansion, and planning began in earnest several years ago as the Archdiocese of Baltimore acquired 29 acres where Blob’s once stood.
The new 19,000- square-foot facility can seat about 350 people in aspace for worship services, and also includes a parish hall for social events, a commercial kitchen, six classrooms for religious education and a “cyber bar” — where the church plans to offer coffee, internet access and a place to socialize.
The church is located in the midst of Parkside, a new development that includes hundreds of homes. Scocco said even before the church formally opened, neighbors came by to check on its progress and talk with church staff.
“We want our neighbors to feel welcome,” he said.
The pastor noted that the archdiocese has placed an emphasis on the importance of reaching out as disciples of faith, and said: “Building this is a way to enable that mission of discipleship.”
He said his congregation has fully embraced that mission, and he hopes the new facilities will be seen as a place for the community to gather.
The church was scheduled to host a Mass and ceremony Saturday, attended by Archbishop William Lori, to formally open the new space.
The facilities are considered the first phases of St. Lawrence Martyr’s long-range plans for growth. Eventually, the congregation plans a 1,000-seat church and an education center on the property.
But while it looks to its future in Hanover, the parish is also keeping an eye on its roots on the other side of the Baltimore-Washington Parkway. The congregation will maintain its historic church. Scocco said it will be put to use for some Masses, and also potentially for weddings and perhaps small funerals.
“It’s a beautiful, intimate space,” he said.
“It’s our heritage.”
One piece of that heritage, though, has found its way to the new church grounds.
Scocco said a bell from the original church has been in storage for years at a parishioner’s home, and the congregation has refurbished it, erected a bell tower on the new site and put it in place.
“It’s a link to our historic past,” said Scocco. “It sounds wonderful.” jjoyner@baltsun.com Parishioners and volunteers Larry Bowers, left, and Tony Stramella set up an audio system in the coffee bar of the new church.
The Rev. Victor Scocco, right, is the pastor of St. Lawrence Martyr Parish. “We’ve heard for years how the area would be growing, and that is certainly being realized.”
The Rev. Victor Scocco, pastor of St.
Lawrence Martyr
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