Although members of many religions organized churches in Carroll, and congregations of all varieties continue to meet, the county is remembered as the cradle of American Methodism.

Robert Strawbridge, anIrish-born farmer turned preacher, was the first man to preach Wesleyan Methodism in America.

Converted to the faith in his home community of Drumsna, in County Leitrim, he began his ministry in Ireland. But, in about 1760, he and his wife, Elizabeth, emigrated to the United States, where he settled on Sam's Creek, in Frederick County.

Shortly after his arrival, he began preaching to his neighbors in his home, which he later purchased along with 50 acres from John England for 50 pounds. The home was declared a shrine in 1940 by the General Conference of the Methodist Church. As soon as Strawbridge had established himself as a farmer-preacher, he began expanding his ministry to include Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia.

Strawbridge's ministry included many firsts. He organized the first Methodist meeting in America, in about 1763.The first Methodist meeting house in America, a log building, was built 1764 in a large field near the tributaries of Sam's Creek and Pipe Creek. The original building was eventually destroyed, and a replica of it was erected at the Strawbridge Shrine near New Windsor.

Strawbridge performed the first Methodist baptism, baptizing 5-year-oldHenry Maynard in 1762 or 1763.

He conducted the first Methodist communion and converted the first American-born Methodist preacher, Richard Owings.

Strawbridge died in 1781 while living on Capt. Charles Ridgely's "Hampton Estate," now Hampton House, in Baltimore County.

Four other Christian denominations were in Carroll before 1770, organized by missionaries from other areas or by the people themselves. Private homes were used as places of worship first. Later, either small log churches were constructed or community-supported "union church" buildings, used by all denominations.

The Farquhar family of Union Bridge held Society of Friends (Quaker) meetings in their home as early as 1735, and in 1770, William Farquhar donated land for the only Quaker Meeting House in Carroll County.

Ephraim Stoner and Martin Urner came to the area in 1758 to organize the Pipe Creek congregation of the Brethren (Dunkers or Dunkards) as an outgrowth of Coventry Church in Pennsylvania. In 1806, Pipe Creek Brethren Church near Uniontown and Linwood was constructed.

In 1760, the Lutheran and Reformed congregations of Manchester built their first church on a tract of land called "Old German Churche." The two denominations worshiped together for several years, but built separate churches after the Civil War. The second oldest Lutheran and Reformed church in the county was St. Benjamin's, or Krider's Church, built in 1763, on land donated by a Mr. Krider.

Although large congregations built their ownlog churches, the Union Church was quite common in the 18th and early 19th centuries. A small community with many denominations would support one building to which itinerant preachers would offer their services, providing an alternative to a congregation until they could afford to build. Unused union churches were often converted to community-supported schools.

The Anglicans, the Presbyterians, the Roman Catholics and the United Brethren appeared in Carroll County after 1770.

In 1771, the last Anglican church constructed in Maryland was built in Eldersburg while, in the same year, the first Presbyterian Church -- Piney Creek Church -- was built between Taneytown and Harney.

Catholic priests established a mission in Taneytown in 1790, saying masses in private homes. Christ Church, the forerunner of St. John's Catholic Church, was built in Westminster in 1805.

The United Brethren, an American religious creation with Reformed and Mennonite background, had its first formal conference in Baltimore in 1789. The congregation in the Middleburg district of Carroll County worshiped inKeysville Union Church, which had been built on land donated by Francis Scott Key.

Here's a self-directed driving tour of "Robert Strawbridge Country":

* The Strawbridge House & Farm, with the John Evans House and the replica of the Log Meeting House. Location: Wakefield Valley Road. Directions: West on Route 31 from Route 140 to Wakefield Valley Road. Turn left. Or East on Route 31 from Route 26 to Wakefield Valley Road. Turn right.

* Strawbridge Church, organized in 1868. Location: Wakefield Valley Road. Directions: Continue west on Wakefield Valley Road from Strawbridge House.

* New Windsor ServiceCenter, operated by the Church of the Brethren. Location: New Windsor. Directions: West on Route 31 from Route 140.

* Log Meeting House Site, marking the location of the original. Location: Marston Road (Route 407) about one mile from Route 31. Directions: Continue west on Route 31. Turn left on Route 407 to Maryland State Historical marker.

* Bethel Church with Dr. Alexander Warfield House, successor tothe Log Meeting House. Location: Sam's Creek and Marston Roads. Directions: Continue on Marston Road to Sam's Creek Road.

* Evans Family Cemetery, family burial plot of Methodism's first convert. Location: Marston Road and Route 27. Directions: Continue on Sam's Creek Road to Route 27. Turn left to Marston Road.

* Westminster United Methodist Church, built in 1842. Location: 165 East Main St., Westminster. Directions: North on Route 27 to Main Street. Turn right to CenterStreet.

* Western Maryland College, founded under Methodist leadership. Location: Westminster. Directions: West on Main Street from Church to college.

* William Durbin House, once a Methodist preaching place in 1767 (now a golf course clubhouse). Location: Bell Road. Directions: Continue west on Main Street to Route 31. Turn left to Uniontown Road. Turn right to Bell Road. Turn left on Bell.

* Henry Willis House, home of itinerant

Methodist preacher who was ordainedan elder in newly organized Methodist church. Location: Route 31 andWakefield Valley Road. Directions: Return from Bell Road to Uniontown Road. Turn right to Uniontown Road. Follow Uniontown Road to Route 31. Turn right to Wakefield Valley Road. Turn right.

* Brick Church, built by Methodists in 1829. Location: Wakefield Valley Road. Directions: South on Wakefield Valley Road.

* Andrew Poulson's House, member of the first Methodist Class. Location: Nicodemus and Bowersoxroads. Directions: Continue on Wakefield Valley Road to Brick ChurchRoad. Turn left to Nicodemus Road. Follow Nicodemus Road to BowersoxRoad.

* Stone Chapel, originally called Poulson's Chapel. Location is the same as Andrew Poulson's House. Directed tours of "Robert Strawbridge Country" may be arranged in advance. Information: 635-2250 or 848-4055.

* Wesley Methodist Episcopal Chapel, located on the north side of Liberty Road (Route 26), 3/4-mile west of Route 32, is the oldest Methodist Church in Carroll County. Built in 1822, it is now part of the Wesley-Freedom United Methodist Church in Eldersburg. Information: 795-2777.

CONGREGATIONS

Carroll County is served by more than 20 denominations of churches, plus several independent or interdenominational congregations.

Here is a listing of the churches, by faith, in the county. Please call for times of Sunday school, worship services and other activities.

* Assembly of God

Eldersburg Assembly of God, meets at Sykesville Middle School, 7301 Springfield Ave., Sykesville, 750-3523; direct mail to 9401 Parsley Drive, Ellicott City, 21043

First Assembly of God, 30 North Cranberry Road, Westminster, 848-8982

North Carroll Assembly of God, 2695 Hanover Pike, Manchester, 374-2383

* Bahai

Carroll County Bahai Assembly, 16 E. George St., Westminster, 848-6087

* Baptist

Calvary Baptist (Liberty) Church, 2127 Old Liberty Road, Westminster, 635-2800

Calvary Baptist Church, 2127 West Old Liberty Road, Westminster, 635-2800

Community Baptist Church, 613 Uniontown Road, Westminster,848-0899

Elders Baptist Church, 1216 Liberty Road, P.O. Box 705, Eldersburg, 795-9481

Emmanuel Baptist Church, 4150 Sykesville Road, Finksburg, 795-5268

Faith Baptist Church, 2703 Hi View Drive, Hampstead, 239-6807

Hampstead Baptist Church, 328 Hanover Pike, P.O.Box 95, Hampstead, 374-9908

Manchester Baptist Church, 2933 Baptist Church Road, Manchester, 239-3149

Mount Airy Baptist Church, Route 808 and Ellis Road, Mount Airy, 829-2185

New Life Baptist Church, meets at Liberty High School, 5855 Bartholow Road, Eldersburg, 875-0025

Sykesville Baptist Chapel, meets at 7540 Main St., Sykesville, 549-1640

Taneytown Baptist Church, 4150 Sells Mill Road, Taneytown, 756-4444

Union Memorial Baptist Church, 160 South Center St., Westminster, 876-3565

Westminster Baptist Church, 354 Crest Lane, Westminster, 848-6330

* Bible

Bark Hill Bible Church, 4350 Bark Hill Road at Glenn Hill Court, Union Bridge, 848-7767

Calvary Bible Church, 2447 Mexico Road, Westminster, 848-1848

Clearfield Bible Church, 1303 Old Westminster Road, Westminster, 848-1795

Deer Park Bible Church, 1950 Deer Park Road, Finksburg, 861-8225

Faith Community Bible Church, 3819 Old Hanover Road, Westminster, 857-0514

Frizzelburg Bible Church, 1905 Frizzelburg Road, Westminster, 848-0678

Grace Bible Church, 3250 Charmil Drive, Manchester, 239-3959

Louisville Independent Bible Church, 2132 Bollinger Mill Road, Finksburg, 795-3013; direct mail to 13410 New Windsor Road, Union Bridge

South Carroll Full Gospel Church, 2015 West Old Liberty Road, Westminster, 795-4629

Uniontown Bible Church, 321 Clear Ridge Road, Linwood, 775-2191

Wakefield Valley Bible Church, 2214 Old New Windsor Road, 635-2141

Five religions flourished in early days in the county

Westminster Bible Church, 310 Gorsuch Road, Westminster, 848-3364

Winfield Bible Church, 5407 Woodbine Road, Woodbine, 795-4125

* Brethren

Edgewood Church of the Brethren, Route 2, New Windsor, 635-6162

Linwood Brethren Church, P.O. Box 27, Linwood, 775-2200

Meadow Branch Brethren Church, 818 Old Taneytown Road, Westminster, 848-7478

Piney Creek Church of the Brethren, Ruggles and Teeter roads, Taneytown, 756-2911

Pipe Creek Brethren Church, 26 PipeCreek Road, Linwood, 775-7343

Sam's Creek Brethren Church, 2736 Marston Road, New Windsor, 635-2772

Union Bridge Church of the Brethren, Main and Church streets, Union Bridge, 775-2717

Westminster Church of the Brethren, Park and Bond streets, Westminster, 848-8090

* Buddhist

International Meditation Center USA, 446 Bankard Road, Silver Run, 346-7889

* Christian

Keymar Evangelical Christian Church, P.O. Box 26, 1011 F. Scott Key Highway, Keymar, 775-2400

* Church of Christ

Westminster Church of Christ, 67 Madison St., Westminster, 848-1064

* Church of Christ, Scientist

First Society of Christ, Scientist, 346 Old New Windsor Road, Westminster, 848-8225

* Church of God

Carrollton Church of God, 1901 Carrollton Road, Finksburg, 848-4223

First Church of God, 25 North Center Street, Westminster, 848-7131

Gospel Spreading Church of God, Priestland Road, Union Bridge, 848-1513

Mayberry (Bethel) Church of God, 2428 Mayberry Road, Westminster, 346-7462

Abundant Life Church of God, 1400 New Windsor Road (Route 31), New Windsor, 875-5894

Westminster Church of God, 640 Lucabaugh Mill Road, Westminster, 848-9667

* Episcopal

Ascension Episcopal Church, 23 North Court St.,Westminster, 848-3251

St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, 13125 Forsythe Road, Sykesville, 795-0767

St. George's Episcopal Church, Cape Horn Road, Manchester, 374-6923

St. James Episcopal Church, 206 North Main St., Mount Airy, 829-0325

St. Stephen's Reformed Episcopal Church, meets at Route 32, Freedom Community Center, Eldersburg, 747-7382; direct mail to 26 Stuart Mills Place, Baltimore, 21228

* Independent

Church of the Open Door, 550 Baltimore Blvd., Westminster, 848-8840

Firm Foundation Rock Church, meets at William Winchester Elementary, Carroll Street Extended, Westminster, 876-6696; direct mailto 1909 Suffolk Road, Finksburg

Foursquare Gospel Church, meets at Westminster High School, 1225 Washington Road, Westminster, 848-6756; direct mail to P.O. Box 1747, Westminster

Greenwood Church, Greenwood Church Road, New Windsor, 848-4933

Liberty Church of Maryland, 1641 Old Westminster Road, Westminster, 857-4313

Lighthouse Worship Center, 1414 Old Manchester Road, Westminster, 848-1500

Mount Airy Full Gospel Church, 13949 Penn Shop Road, Mount Airy, 795-6511

Silver Run Full Gospel Church, Humbert Schoolhouse Road, Westminster, 346-7739

* Interdenominational

Grace Fellowship Chapel, meets at East Middle School, Longwell Avenue, Westminster, 876-2551

Miracle Valley Church, Route 91 and Lawndale Road, Finksburg, 239-8735

* Jehovah's Witnesses

Kingdom Hall Jehovah's Witnesses, 6328 Sykesville Road, Sykesville, 795-6323; direct mail to 2601 Gillis Falls Road, Woodbine

Kingdom Hall Jehovah's Witnesses, 1131 S. Pleasant Valley Road, Frizzelburg, 857-0364; direct mail to 3816 Littlestown Pike, Westminster

* Jewish

B'nai Israel Reform Congregation of Carroll County, 248 Springdale Road, Westminster, 848-3821

Beth Shalom Congregation, 6109 Oak Hill Drive, Sykesville, 875-2800

* Church of Jesus Christ

of Latter Day Saints Wards

(Mormon)

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 4520 Willow View St., Hampstead, 239-2461

Mount Airy Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Beck's Corner, Mount Airy, 829-9311

Westminster Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 595 Johahn Drive, Westminster, 829-2646

* Lutheran

Calvary Lutheran Church, 16151 Old Frederick Road, Woodbine, 489-5280

Emmanuel (Baust) Lutheran Church, 2940 Old Taneytown Road, Westminster, 848-4874

Faith Lutheran Church, Bartholow Road, Sykesville, 795-8082

Grace Lutheran Church, 21 Carroll St., Westminster, 848-7020

Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, 2205 Old Liberty Road, Eldersburg, 795-6333

Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, 3184 Church St., Manchester, 374-2828

Jerusalem Lutheran Church, 1372 Bachman's Valley Road, Westminster, 848-0619

Keysville Lutheran Church, 7301 Keysville Road, Keysville, 756-6064; direct mail to 7775 Forest Stream Club Road, Detour

Lazarus Lutheran Church, Church Street, Lineboro, 848-0619

Messiah Lutheran Church, 5600 OldWashington Road, Sykesville, 795-9174

Mount Union Lutheran Church, 5000 Middleburg Road, Taneytown, 775-2309; direct mail to 556 Bucher John Road, Union Bridge

St. Benjamin's Lutheran Church (Krider's), Kriders Church Road, Westminster, 848-3311

St. James Lutheran Church, 14 South Benedum St., Union Bridge, 775-2181

St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 827 Leister's Church Road, Westminster, 848-6402

St. Luke's Lutheran (Winters) Church, 701 Green Valley Road,New Windsor, 635-6177

St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Cape Horn Road,Snydersburg, 374-5373

St. Mark's Lutheran Evangelical Church, 1373 North Main St., Hampstead, 374-2819

St. Mary's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Route 97 and Mayberry Road, Silver Run, 346-7146

St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 5918 Conover Road, Harney, 1-717-334-0702

St. Paul's Lutheran Church (Uniontown), 3330 Uniontown Road, Uniontown, 848-6876

St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 4300 Church Road, Hampstead, 374-2264

Trinity Lutheran Church, 38 West Baltimore St., Taneytown, 751-1203

Trinity Lutheran Church, 833Deer Park Road, Westminster, 848-8923

* Mennonite

Mount Airy Mennonite Church, 7101 Watersville Road, Mount Airy, 829-9403

* Methodist

Alesia Free Methodist Church, Living Faith Chapel, 4250 Alesia-Lineboro Road, Millers, 239-8488

Bethel United Methodist Church, near intersection of Buffalo and Sam's Creek roads, New Windsor, 635-6302

Bethesda United Methodist Church, 328 Klee's Mill Road, Sykesville, 795-7677

Bixler United Methodist Church, Bixler's ChurchRoad, Westminster, 239-3640; direct mail to 3282 Charmil Drive, Manchester

Brandenburg United Methodist Church, Streaker Road and Route 97, Berrett, 795-2304; direct mail to 2917 Gillis Falls Road, MountAiry

Calvary United Methodist Church, 3939 Gamber Road, Finksburg, 795-9343

Calvary United Methodist Church, 403 South Main St., Mount Airy, 829-0358

Deer Park United Methodist Church, 2200 Sykesville Road, Westminster, 848-2313

Ebenezer United Methodist Church, 4901 Woodbine Road, Sykesville, 795-6136

Emory United Methodist Church, 1600 Emory Road, Upperco, 833-6596

Fairview United MethodistChurch, Liberty Road, New Windsor, 635-2770

Flohrville United Methodist Church, 6620 Church St., Sykesville, 848-1820

Gaither United Methodist Church, 7701 Gaither Road, Gaither, 795-0714

Grace United Methodist Church, 4618 Black Rock Road, Hampstead, 239-8226

Greenmount United Methodist Church, 2001 Hanover Pike, Hampstead, 239-8226

Johnsville United Methodist Church, Johnsville Road, Johnsville, 1-301-922-7656 or 795-9896

Messiah United Methodist Church, 25 Middle St., Taneytown, 756-6085

Middleburg United Methodist Church, Johnsville and Middleburg roads, Keymar, 848-6940

Millers UnitedMethodist Church, Millers Station and Warehime Roads, Millers, 239-3640

Morgan's Chapel United Methodist Church, Route 94 near Hood's Mill Road, Woodbine, 795-2304

Mount Olive United Methodist Church,2927 Gillis Falls Road, Mount Airy, 795-2304

Mount Zion United Methodist Church, 3006 Old Westminster Pike, Finksburg, 861-8021

Oakland United Methodist Church, Oakland and Mineral Hill roads, Sykesville, 795-2127

Patapsco United Methodist Church, Patapsco Road, Finksburg, 429-5255

Pipe Creek Brick United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 487, 402 Church St., New Windsor, 635-6508

Prospect-Marvin United Methodist Church, 5923 Woodville Road, Mount Airy, 829-0270

Ridgeville United Methodist Church, Ridgeville Boulevard, Mount Airy, 829-0828

St. James United Methodist Church, 3000 Marston Road, New Windsor, 635-2371

St. John's United Methodist Church, 1205 North Main St., Hampstead, 374-2878

St. Luke's United Methodist, 350 River Road, Sykesville, 489-5074

St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 200Main St., New Windsor, 635-2442

St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 7538 Main St., Sykesville, 795-0714

Salem United Methodist Church, 3322 Salem Bottom Road at Bear Branch Road, Winfield, 875-4101; direct mail to 4356 Ridge Road, Mount Airy

Sandymount United Methodist Church, 2101 Old Westminster Pike, Finksburg, 876-2749

Shiloh United Methodist Church, 3106 Shiloh Road, Hampstead, 374-4231

Stone Chapel United Methodist Church, Stone Chapel and Bowersox roads, Westminster, 848-1820; direct mail to 2815 Ridge Road, Westminster

Strawbridge United Methodist Church, Route 31 and Wakefield Valley Road, New Windsor, 635-6480

Taylorsville United Methodist Church, 4360 Ridge Road, Mount Airy, 875-4101

Union Bridge United Methodist Church, 7 South Main St., Union Bridge, 775-2644

Union Street United Methodist Church, 22 Union St., Westminster, 848-3404

UniontownUnited Methodist Church, 3407 Uniontown Road, Westminster, 848-6940

Wesley United Methodist Church, 3239 Carrollton Road, Hampstead, 374-4027

Wesley-Freedom United Methodist Church, Liberty and Johnsville roads, Eldersburg, 795-2777

Westminster United Methodist Church, 165 East Main St., Westminster, 876-2124

White Rock United Methodist Church, 6300 White Rock Road, Sykesville, 1-301-922-7656 or 795-1110; direct mail to 4730 Duncannon Road, Pikesville, 21208

ZionUnited Methodist Church, 2716 Old Washington Road, Westminster, 857-4444

* Nazarene

South Carroll Church of Nazarene, 351 Liberty Road, Eldersburg, 795-0979

Westminster Church of Nazarene, 147 Sullivan Road, Westminster, 857-1477

* Presbyterian

First United Presbyterian Church, 65 Washington Road, Westminster, 876-3575

Kirkridge Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, 2236 Old Fort Schoolhouse Road, Manchester, 374-6112

New Windsor Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, Church and High streets, New Windsor, 635-2332

Piney Creek Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, Piney Creek and Harney roads, Taneytown, 756-2512

Springfield Presbyterian Church, 7300Spout Hill Road, Sykesville, 795-6152

Taneytown Presbyterian Church, 30 York St., Taneytown, 756-2233; direct mail to 4446 Stumptown Road, Taneytown

Westminster Reformed Presbyterian Church, meets at Westminster Elementary School, 811 Uniontown Road, Westminster, 857-0899; direct mail to P.O. Box 1745, Westminster

* Quaker

Pipe Creek Friends Meeting, 455 Quaker Hill Road, Box 277, Union Bridge, 751-1108* Roman Catholic

St. Bartholomew's Roman Catholic Church, 3071 Park Ave., Manchester, 239-8881

St. John's Roman Catholic Church, Monroe Street, Box 546, Westminster, 848-4744

St. Joseph's RomanCatholic Church, Liberty and Martz roads, Eldersburg, 795-7838

St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, Sandosky Road and Main Street, Sykesville, 795-7838

St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, 44 Frederick St., Taneytown, 756-2500

* Seventh Day Adventist

Seventh Day Adventist Church, 320 Crest Lane, Westminster, 848-2599

* United Church of Christ

Benjamin's United Church of Christ (Krider's), Krider Church Road, Westminster, 857-5525

Emmanuel (Baust) United Church of Christ, 2930-2950 Old Taneytown Road, Westminster, 751-1237 Grace United Church of Christ, 2049 Keysville-Bruceville Road, Keymar, 756-6577

Grace United Church of Christ, 49 West Baltimore St., Taneytown, 756-2302

Lazarus United Church of Christ, Church Street, Lineboro, 374-2727 St. Mark's United Church of Christ, Cape Horn Road, Snydersburg, P.O. Box 730, Manchester, 374-9428

St. Mary's United Church of Christ, 1441 East Mayberry Road, Silver Run, 346-7977 St. Matthew's United Church of Christ, 1427 Pleasant Valley Road, Westminster, 848-5528

St. Paul's United Church of Christ, Green and Bond streets, Westminster, 848-5975

Trinity United Church of Christ, YorkStreet, Manchester, 374-2727.