Our History
Our congregation had its beginnings in the early days of Methodism with the first record of a preacher at Ward's in 1790. Services were held from 1802 to 1845 at the historic New Tavern. Then a log chapel, built on a lot given by Robert and Mary Ward, was the meeting place of the congregation until replaced by the present stone building dedicated on May 30, 1871.
Beginning in the early plantation days our congregation has enjoyed a close fellowship of committed Christian service. Past members with guidance from devoted circuit riders and ministers have given us the rich heritage of today's church. From the Pre-School Program to the 70 Plus activities, our congregation seeks to make the Good News of Jesus Christ real for people of all ages.
In the atmosphere of love and friendliness may you be inspired by worship and drawn closer to God. Our cordial invitation is extended to all who are looking for a church home.
Beginning in the early plantation days our congregation has enjoyed a close fellowship of committed Christian service. Past members with guidance from devoted circuit riders and ministers have given us the rich heritage of today's church. From the Pre-School Program to the 70 Plus activities, our congregation seeks to make the Good News of Jesus Christ real for people of all ages.
In the atmosphere of love and friendliness may you be inspired by worship and drawn closer to God. Our cordial invitation is extended to all who are looking for a church home.
Remembering Our Past, Serving in the Present, A Vision for Tomorrow
Welcome to Ward’s Chapel, a gathering of friends and families united by God’s love! Our congregation’s roots extend to the very earliest days of the Methodist movement in America. The present house of worship was constructed some 140 years ago of stone gathered by farmers from nearby fields and quarries. That congregation was building on the relationships formed in the very earliest days of the Methodist movement in America. Today, God continues to build on the work of those who have gone before us. Through faith in Christ, the living Stone, the source of life, we present ourselves in service to God.
Some of us have been at Ward’s Chapel a long time; others have joined only recently, discovering in this place a welcoming Spirit and a willingness to serve others beyond our walls. We welcome you to find your place of rest and worship with us and to find encouragement from God’s word lived out in lives of service.
Some of us have been at Ward’s Chapel a long time; others have joined only recently, discovering in this place a welcoming Spirit and a willingness to serve others beyond our walls. We welcome you to find your place of rest and worship with us and to find encouragement from God’s word lived out in lives of service.
Meet Our Pastor --- Rev. Dr. Steven Sunghwan Cho
Pastor Steven Cho
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Pastor Steven Cho & Family
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Rev. Dr. Steven (Sunghwan) Cho is the pastor of Ward’s Chapel. Upon beginning his ministry at Ward’s Chapel, his focus was on ‘nurturing spirituality’, ‘equipping laity leadership,’ and ‘sharing God’s hospitality.’ His doctoral study researched the trend in the US, ‘spiritual but not religious’ and pointed out that this might mislead American Christians to lose precious religious traditions and cultural heritages. Pastor Cho said that the Bible basically teaches us, “spirituality is all about discipline.” As Jesus taught and showed, ‘prayer’, ‘meditating on the words of God’, ‘reaching out to the community’, and ‘heartful worship’ are the main components of spirituality. In order to re-establish those four components of the spirituality, Pastor Cho suggests that laity leadership and radical hospitality are the two critical keys.
Pastor Cho is a spiritual leader, preacher, life-coach (ACC), and published author. He is an ordained Elder in Korean Methodist Church and in the United Methodist Church.
Pastor Cho earned his master’s and doctoral degrees at Wesley Theological Seminary in DC. While he was working on academic study in 2010, he was called to plant a worshiping community in DC, Alpha Community Church. The church focused on younger generations with diverse cultural background. They gathered at the heart of Washington DC and strived to look at their call from God, and what to do for the kingdom of God. After this ministry, Pastor Cho served at two churches, Stone Chapel (New Windsor) and Zion UMC (Westminster).
In 2019, Bishop Easterling of the Baltimore-Washington Conference appointed Pastor Steven (Sunghwan) Cho to Ward’s Chapel. He is excited to serve Ward’s Chapel, and the church responds to him with love and special welcome.
He loves, playing music, golfing, motorcycle riding, and Korean calligraphy. His wife Dong Eun Lee is currently serving at Glyndon United Methodist Church as a pastor and they have a son, Won.
Pastor Cho is a spiritual leader, preacher, life-coach (ACC), and published author. He is an ordained Elder in Korean Methodist Church and in the United Methodist Church.
Pastor Cho earned his master’s and doctoral degrees at Wesley Theological Seminary in DC. While he was working on academic study in 2010, he was called to plant a worshiping community in DC, Alpha Community Church. The church focused on younger generations with diverse cultural background. They gathered at the heart of Washington DC and strived to look at their call from God, and what to do for the kingdom of God. After this ministry, Pastor Cho served at two churches, Stone Chapel (New Windsor) and Zion UMC (Westminster).
In 2019, Bishop Easterling of the Baltimore-Washington Conference appointed Pastor Steven (Sunghwan) Cho to Ward’s Chapel. He is excited to serve Ward’s Chapel, and the church responds to him with love and special welcome.
He loves, playing music, golfing, motorcycle riding, and Korean calligraphy. His wife Dong Eun Lee is currently serving at Glyndon United Methodist Church as a pastor and they have a son, Won.
- Pastor since 1992, ordained 2007 in Korean Methodist
- Church Planter, DC multicultural project church (2010-2016)
- Published Author, "Bible 101" series found on Amazon, and more books coming
- Novel Writer, "Sicarii", a Korean novel
- Life Coach, International Coaching Federation, ACC
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11023 Liberty Road
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Randallstown, MD
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21133
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