We believe that our history shapes our present and guides our future. Our church has been serving the community for several decades, and we take pride in our rich heritage. We are committed to serving our community with the same dedication and passion as our founders did.
In the mid 1950s, several parishioners of All Saints Episcopal Church in Frederick, MD, initiated conversations with the Diocese of Maryland concerning the establishment of a mission church closer to where they lived in the community of Braddock Heights. In May of 1962, Bishop Noble C. Powell agreed. The first church services were held in the community room at nearby Vindobona Nursing Home, with twenty interested families attending. A stated goal was that church life and worship would be conducted in “an open and friendly style.” This approach to all aspects of parish life remains a cornerstone of Transfiguration today.
The first vicar to serve the congregation was The Reverend L. Wade Hampton, who served from 1962 to 1963. His ministry was to get the congregation firmly established. The Reverend William Speer became the second vicar for the new congregation early in 1963. and ground was broken for the first church building. By this time the congregation had chosen the name “Transfiguration” associating the location with the story of Jesus’ transfiguration on a mountain top. In October of 1963, Bishop Harry Lee Doll consecrated the new Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration. In 1967 a Vicarage was built next to the church building, and in June of that year, The Reverend Stephen Rudacille became the third Vicar for four years. He was followed by The Reverend Jonathan T. Ford, who served for eleven years. In 1980 the church became a separate congregation with full parish status.
In July of 1984, The Reverend Patrick A. Pierce became Transfiguration’s fifth Vicar and its first full time Rector. After he left in July of 1988, The Reverend Doris Mote became the Interim Rector. In November of 1990, The Reverend Julian Eiben accepted Transfiguration’s call to become its second full time rector.
In 1993 an adjacent plot of land was purchased to be the site of a new church building and an enlarged parking area. The newly acquired parcel came with a four-unit apartment house known now as Transfiguration House. Transfiguration House is now a separately incorporated ministry providing lower cost housing for qualified tenants. With Reverend Eiben’s departure in late 1999, the Vestry called The Reverend Thomas Staup to act as the church’s second Interim Rector. Ground was broken for the new church building in the spring of 2003. In February of 2004, The Reverend Henry Sabetti became the third full-time rector. On September 12, 2004, the new church building was dedicated by Bishop John Rabb. The former church building is now used for various hospitality functions, assorted group and committee meetings, and ministries. In 2012 Transfiguration called The Reverend Dr. Gordon DeLaVars. Since Father Gordon’s retirement, Transfiguration has been served by its Associate Priest, The Reverend Ellen Hurwitz, by an Interim Priest, The Reverend Canon Lesley Hay, and members of retired clergy within the parish. The Reverend Gilen Thompson-Uberuaga and The Reverend Sally Joyner-Giffin currently serve as our Supply Priests.