St. John’s Western Run Episcopal Church
Documentation and Development of a new Site History and Historic Preservation Plan
Date
July 2021- February 2024
Status
Completed
Location
Baltimore County Maryland
Client
The Vestry of St. John’s Church Western Run Parish
Founded in 1809 and reconstructed in 1869, St. John’s Church at Western Run is a distinguished example of Gothic Revival ecclesiastical architecture set within a rural landscape. Built with locally quarried stone, the church features pointed-arch windows, buttresses, and a steeply pitched roof, reflecting the craftsmanship and aesthetic ideals of the mid-19th century. Over time, the surrounding grounds—home to a historic cemetery—remained largely intact, preserving a rare snapshot of Baltimore County’s rural parish heritage. However, deferred maintenance and the passage of time threatened both the building’s structural integrity and the preservation of its original details.
Progress Preservation prepared a detailed National Register of Historic Places nomination to document the church’s architectural significance and cultural history. The effort involved archival research, architectural analysis, and careful photographic documentation to ensure a complete record of the site’s heritage. The designation celebrates the church’s enduring role as a center of community life while safeguarding its Gothic Revival features for future generations. With this recognition, St. John’s Western Run stands not only as a place of worship but also as a protected landmark that reflects the spiritual and architectural traditions of 19th-century Maryland.
