Announcements
News and announcements about what we’re up to.
Govans Community Farm Receives $160,000 State Grant
Govans Presbyterian Church is pleased to announce the award of a $160,000 grant from the State of Maryland through the Fiscal Year 2026 Baltimore Regional Neighborhood Initiative (BRNI). This funding will support the expansion of the Govans Community Farm located at 5828 York Road in Baltimore. The Govans Community Farm is an idea born from our work promoting Racial Justice. Recognizing the continued impact and legacy of past injustices, we see an opportunity to address this legacy through the cooperative…
Govans Food Ministry Update
The Govans Presbyterian session (church leadership) shared this message with church members Wednesday, December 17, 2025, to update them about the future of the church Food Ministry. Dear Govans Members, As you probably know, Govans Food Ministry has been the focus of significant discussion in recent weeks, particularly following the session’s November decision to cease operation of the Soul Kitchen in its current form. After prayerful reflection and careful review of feedback from the congregation and community, the session revisited…
From Soul Kitchen to Community Fridge: Continuing Our Commitment to Feeding Baltimore
Govans Presbyterian Church will begin a new direction for its Food Ministry in the near future. Our campus will soon launch the Govans Presbyterian Church Community Fridge and pantry, which will be accessible 24/7 for community members to take what they need and/or donate what they can. The Govans Presbyterian Church Fridge will be part of the Baltimore City Fridge Network, which supports 20+ refrigerators and pantries throughout Baltimore City. Entirely run by volunteers, this growing network of residents works…
Volunteers Revitalize Spiritual Walkway
The decades haven’t always been kind to the Santa Rosa Labyrinth at Govans Presbyterian Church. The circular walkway was installed in 1999 outside the landmark house of worship in north Baltimore. It was part of a rediscovery then going on around the country of the spiritual powers of labyrinths, which trace their history to prehistoric times. Greek mythology holds that one was built to contain a half-man, half-bull minotaur. Govan’s labyrinth had fallen into disrepair until a group of volunteers…
Govans Hosts BUILD Listening Session to Guide Action Plan
Fifteen congregants and community members met the afternoon of November 2, 2025 for a BUILD (Baltimoreans United in Leadership Development) listening session. After joining BUILD this year, Govans pledged to host a listening session before the end of the year to help identify the important community issues we collectively face in North Baltimore. We addressed two questions during the listening session. The first asked for names of successful initiatives that were only possible through working with others. Some examples were…
Joining BUILD to Make a Difference
After many months of discussion, the Racial Justice Ministry Committee (RJMC) recommended to the Session last month to join Baltimoreans United in Leadership Development (BUILD) and the Session approved it. According to their website, BUILD is a “broad-based, non-partisan, interfaith, multiracial community power organization rooted in Baltimore’s neighborhoods and congregations.” The largest and oldest organization of its kind in Baltimore, BUILD has worked to improve housing, increase job opportunities, and rebuild schools and neighborhoods, among other issues. Becoming a member…
Govans Dedicates Sanctuary Art and Embraces Diverse Congregation
Govans Presbyterian Church dedicated a work commissioned from a local Black artist Sunday, Feb. 9, during a 10:30 a.m. service at the church. The work celebrates diversity and is part of a years-long effort by the church to recognize the role of racism in its founding on a former plantation. It also helps create a welcoming space for all parishioners. The work represents a milestone in the work of the church’s Racial Justice Committee. Formed in 2021 by the mostly…
Introducing the Rev. Dr. Ron Hankins – Govans’ new Interim Pastor!
The Interim Pastor Search Committee (IPSC) has selected the Reverend Dr. Ron Hankins (“Pastor Ron”) to fill the role of Interim Pastor with Govans Presbyterian Church. Pastor Ron comes to Govans with 35 years in ministry where he has been blessed to serve diverse congregations which have given him experience to lead and serve in many different settings. His first day at Govans will be Monday, August 19. Pastor Ron’s approach to preaching, teaching, moderating church meetings or engaging with the local…
Lea Gilmore Joins Giants of Music and Activism in Winning Major Award
by Jon Morgan In the 24 years it has given out its signature award for music, Common Ground on the Hill has ranged far and wide to commemorate giants of art and social justice. Pete Seeger won it once. Also Richie Havens, Odetta, Jose Feliciano and Buckwheat Zydeco. This year the nonprofit folklife center headquartered on the campus of McDaniels College found an honoree closer to home: our own Lea Gilmore, Govan’s music director and minister for racial justice and…
Govans to renovate Education Building, Signage and Playground
The Education Building that houses the Govans Preschool and the Senior Network of North Baltimore (SNNB) was built in 1958 and features two window walls that are badly in need of replacement. This project will replace them with brick façades and new energy efficient windows including a canopy covering the entrance to the SNNB. Additionally, the project includes a complete regrading and resurfacing of the playground, and new exterior signage will be installed across our entire campus. Frequently Asked Questions:…
Watch “A Moment of Margaret Bonds”
Did you miss the Govans Chancel Choir’s wonderful special music presentation from Palm Sunday? Or do you simply want to watch it again. You can watch the whole thing below. Thank you to our choir members and our Music Director, Marie Herrington and also to our special guest pianist and vocalists – Timothy Krippner, Elisheva Pront, and Ben Ross.
Black Baltimore artists sought to design new art for Sanctuary
The Racial Justice Committee has released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for art work to supplement the window at the front of our sanctuary. Artwork will be hung on both sides of the window. Our desire is to portray a welcoming and inclusive community in our worship space. Please distribute the attached RFP to any interested Black artists who reside in Baltimore. Deadline for submission is March 11, 2024. Submissions and questions can be directed to Patreena Parsons, govansart@gmail.com.