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Colesville Presbyterian Church Sacred Space for a Living Legacy:

A Sanctuary Renew Campaign

For more than sixty years, Colesville Presbyterian Church has stood as a place of worship, music, and community — a sacred space where generations have gathered to celebrate faith, song, and service. As we look to the future, we envision a renewed sanctuary that reflects both our deep heritage and our continuing vitality: a space that honors our traditions while opening its doors more fully to all.

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“A Sanctuary is a Sacred Space”

Through this campaign, we will:

  1. Complete the restoration of our organ which is well underway and should be fully usable by Spring, 2026.

  2. Replace our outdated climate control systems, ensuring comfort, sustainability, and protection for our instruments and worshippers.

  3. Restore and modernize our acoustics to preserve the beauty of sacred sound.

  4. Modernize our audio/video system for improved live-streaming.

  5. Strengthen the inclusiveness and accessibility of our worship space — including a ramped chancel, improved seating, and hearing assistance — so that all may participate fully in worship and ministry.

  6. Renew the sanctuary interior with improved lighting, accessibility, and design.

  7. Engage our church community in forwarding looking acts of stewardship and spiritual growth, ensuring God’s purpose and our legacy of inclusion for future generations.

“Let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them.” — Exodus 25:8 

From the earliest days of faith, God’s people have set apart sacred spaces for meeting, prayer, and praise. The sanctuary is not merely a building; it is a dwelling place for the presence of God — a visible reminder that the holy lives within and among us.

Scriptural Touchstones:

  • Psalm 96:6 — “Splendor and majesty are before Him; strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.”

  • 2 Chronicles 7:16 — “I have chosen and consecrated this house so that My Name may be there forever.”

  • Isaiah 56:7 — “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.”

 

At Colesville Presbyterian Church, this renewal echoes those same intentions — to provide a sacred home for all people, a place where faith, music, and community meet in the presence of God.

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Sanctuary…

a word that sings of sacred space,

of shelter found in God’s embrace,

of doors flung wide in welcome grace,

where all may come, belong, be still. 

Here, prayers have risen like the tide,

and music soared, and hearts replied.

Now once again, this hallowed room

awaits new life, dispels the gloom. 

An organ’s voice, once strong and clear,

will rise again for all to hear.

Its pipes restored with reverent art—

a gift to stir the soul and heart. 

Yet sound alone is not the call.

We lift the light and shape the hall.

We tune the space so all may hear,

and move with ease, and draw more near.

Sanctuary—

not just a place, but purpose deep:

to tend God's house, God's spirit keep.

To build a space of hope and praise

for future songs and present days. 

Sanctuary—

not just a place, but purpose deep:

to tend God's house, God's spirit keep.

To build a space of hope and praise

for future songs and present days.

 

So let us give—not just to mend—

but plant, prepare, and comprehend

that now’s the hour, this is the day,

to give with love, and lead the way.

Poetry by Martha Hart-Johns

Project Details

“Building on Faith — Strengthening Our Foundation.”

From its founding, Colesville Presbyterian Church has been a congregation where all are truly welcome — a community that celebrates diversity, accessibility, and shared faith. Each improvement will restore beauty, enhance function, and ensure that worship at Colesville remains open, comfortable, and inspiring for everyone — in body, mind, and spirit.

Focus Areas

Organ
Restoration
Acoustics &
Hearing
Assistance
Climate
Control (HVAC
Renewal)

Renewing our historic organ to its full musical glory — preserving the instrument that has led our congregation in worship and inspired our community through sacred music.

Enhancing the sanctuary’s resonance and clarity to support worship, choirs, and concerts. The redesign will also integrate modern hearing-assistance technology so that every congregant can fully participate in worship, music, and spoken word.

Replacing the outdated heating and cooling systems to achieve full function, correcting airflow and output, and streamlining the aesthetic design. These upgrades will protect our organ, improve comfort for worshippers, and ensure energy efficiency throughout the sanctuary.

Lighting &
Accessibility

Updating lighting, flooring, and seating for beauty, comfort, and inclusion — and creating a more accessible chancel area with a gently sloped ramp, ensuring that all worship leaders, musicians, and congregants can participate fully in services and events.

Sanctuary
Design &
Aesthetics

Refining the interior design to complement the sanctuary’s clean architectural lines and natural wood tones — preserving its simplicity and warmth while renewing finishes and surfaces to create a harmonious and inspiring worship environment.

“Splendor and majesty are before Him; strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.” — Psalm 96:6

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Ways to give

“Together, We Renew.”​Every generation at Colesville Presbyterian Church has helped to shape this sacred space — through prayer, service, and generosity. Now it is our turn to restore and renew what has been entrusted to us, ensuring that our sanctuary continues to inspire worship, music, and fellowship for generations to come.​Your gift — whether a one-time contribution or a multi-year pledge — is an act of faith and gratitude. It builds not only windows, walls and ramps, but also the enduring ministry that takes place within them.​“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give... for God loves a cheerful giver.” — 2 Corinthians 9:7
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Stories of Renewal

“Our new hearing system means I will be able to hear in person – not just online. To fully hear the words of inspiration from every reader and hear the lyrics of songs in the sanctuary again — that’s the gift of grace this renewal brings.”
“The restored organ will fill the sanctuary with life again — it’s like breathing faith through music. And it will make special events like weddings and funerals even more special.”
“Let there be light! I meant it! I have needed more light to see the hymnal and everything printed! New lighting will be a blessing.”

“Guided by Faith, Led by Community.”

The Sanctuary Renewal Campaign is led by members of our congregation who bring prayer, dedication, and shared vision to this sacred effort. At any point in the process please feel free to bring your question to any of us.

Chair:

Jon Doane

Committee Members

Susan Patrick

John Stevenson

Martha Johns

Yolanda Pruitt

Holly Plank

Sanctuary Planning Committee

Under the leadership of Diane Rogers, Chair

Mike and Ann Toll

Janey Richards

John Stevenson

Jon Doane

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Call 

(301)-622-4555

Email 

Mailing

Colesville Presbyterian Church, PO Box 10721 Silver Spring MD 20914

“How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! My soul longs, indeed it faints for the courts of the Lord. My heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God.” Psalm 84: 1-2

ABOUT US

Loving God and our neighbor, we strive to be a beacon of light, joy, hope, inclusiveness, and service in the Colesville community.

ADDRESS

12800 New Hampshire Avenue
Silver Spring, MD  20904

Mailing address:

P. O. Box 10721

Silver Spring, MD 20914

301-622-4555  

office@colesvillepresbyterian.church

Church Office Hours: 
Monday - Thursday     9am-4pm

Friday    9 am-noon

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Colesville Presbyterian Church is a member of:

The Presbyterian Church U.S.A.
                     (PCUSA)

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