This is the most significant historic site in Bethesda, Maryland, and the source of our area’s name. Its beautiful three acres overlook 9400 Rockville Pike on a granite knoll just north of downtown Bethesda and a block from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The site is truly unique and a treasure to save for current and future generations to enjoy.

After nearly 200 years of worshippers from Presbyterian, Catholic and Baptist faiths coming to this site, the final congregation disbanded in 2022 and left the property essentially abandoned. 

When the owners failed to interest anyone in building homes or apartments on the site, the Bethesda Historical Society was able to purchase the property with the help of a generous Bethesda couple who prefer to remain anonymous.

A non-profit Bethesda Meeting House Foundation was established to take ownership in December 2023. Since then, the Foundation has been working to reverse decades of deterioration of the church and its adjacent parsonage, as well as a 200-year old cemetery next door. 

The hope of the Foundation is to convert this unique site into a community asset for everyone to enjoy.

Here’s a link to a longer history of the site. 

Here are copies of past newsletters.

Here’s a link to our sister website Bethesda Historical  Society.

Here’s how to be added to our mailing list:
Email us at bethesdahistory@gmail.com

Here’s where you can make a tax-deductible contribution to help our work.