20. First & Franklin Presbyterian Church
201 W. Madison St., Baltimore, MD 21201
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Visitor Experience
Guided tours and self-guided tours available throughout the day. There is a special one-time exhibit of documents, pictures and memorabilia describing what the congregation and Baltimore was like during World War II, remembering two fallen soldiers in particular.
Sanctuary and chapel open from 11 am – 5 pm on Sat 10/7 for guided or at your own pace tours.
Limited Hours: 11 AM – 5 PM
About
Design for this commanding Gothic Revival church began in 1854 by architect Norris G. Starkweather, and eventually completed by his chief draftsman, Edmund Lind, who would go on to become a prominent architect in his own right. While the church was dedicated in 1859, the 273-feet tall cast-iron spire (the tallest in the city) wasn’t finished until 1874. The interior boasts many Tiffany stained glass windows, a triple-vaulted sanctuary, and rich plaster tracery. In 1973, First Presbyterian Church merged with the Franklin Street Presbyterian Church to form the First and Franklin Street Presbyterian Church, and in 2012 the congregation voted to rename it First & Franklin Presbyterian Church. In 2009, the local architecture firm, Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects, undertook an extensive restoration plan.
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