The fireplace inside Oliver's Carriage House in Columbia's Town Center keeps the flame burning for one of Columbia's original churches.
"The liberals of the '70s were the heart -- and continue to be the heart -- of the congregation," said the Rev. Gerald Goethe, minister at the Kittamaqundi Community Church, which meets in the historic stone building.
Established in 1970 by 12 members of the Church of the Savior in Washington, D.C., including Columbia founder James W. Rouse, the church's congregants work on such issues as the environment and homelessness.
Of the 300 families involved in the nondenominational Christian church, most include middle-aged doctors, educators and other professionals.
"I think it's a community of caring, loving people who are hanging in there together," said Pam Henry, 46, a member since 1988. "It's not perfect, and I don't want to give that impression.
"We have our struggles."
The church is named after Columbia's Lake Kittamaqundi, a Native American word for meeting place.
It was founded at a time of high ideals that coincided with the founding of Columbia itself, said Mr. Goethe, who was then an executive of the Columbia Religious Ministry, which oversees planning and financing for Columbia's worship space.
At that time, Mr. Goethe and other Columbia ministers were looking for innovative ways in which churches could have an impact on the new town of Columbia.
They created four interfaith centers, which are shared by various congregations.
The Kittamaqundi Community Church "was one of the original congregations in that mix," Mr. Goethe said.
Originally, the church's members met at restaurants in the villages of King's Contrivance and Wilde Lake. In 1974, they moved into the downstairs of the carriage house. Three years later, they moved to the second floor.
Later in the 1970s, they purchased the renovated 1827-era stone building for $425,000. The worship space has stacks of folding chairs, a piano and fireplace.
"It adds to the ambience and hominess," Mr. Goethe said of the working fireplace.
Despite that casual atmosphere, the church requires a serious commitment from its members, congregants say.
After completing five classes in Christian living, for example, people who want to become formal members must agree to worship weekly, participate in a mission group, pray regularly, study the Scriptures and tithe, Mr. Goethe said. They must also agree to the church's creed.
Covenants -- solemn agreements between members of the church to maintain its faith and doctrine -- are made annually at recommitment retreats.
In addition to becoming formal members, people can become worshipers, who participate in any manner, or interns, who complete two classes in Christian living, participate in mission groups and consider becoming members, Mr. Goethe said.
"It's a volunteer choice, which is what I think God did with us," Mr. Goethe said. "We're a group of Christians [with] a high level of commitment to the ministry and mission."
Ms. Henry said she was reluctant to attend the church at first because she was concerned about the covenants mentioned in the church's visitors packets.
Now, she said, she appreciates having the ability to specify her level of church commitment. "I think it does [work]. It presents a standard for people to choose," she said.
And the historic building where the church meets seems to enhance the members' sense of commitment.
"The building seems to have a life of its own," Ms. Henry said. "The stones of the building seem to hold the care and love and struggles and victory of the people who've come in and out of the building over the years."