Our History
The history of Amazing Grace begins in the early nineteenth century. The bustling port city of Baltimore was thriving, and the
Lutheran community was growing. In 1833, Lutherans in Fells Point formed the church that latter became Trinity Evangelical
Lutheran Church, but this is not the only history of Amazing Grace. The history of Amazing Grace comes from all over Baltimore
and three separate congregations. Fifty-seven years after the creation of Trinity, another group of Lutherans organized Martin
Luther English Lutheran Church. The triumvirate was completed in 1892 with the creation of Bethany Evangelical Church.
The paths of the churches began separately, and continued separately for a century.
One hundred years after the creation of Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church, and one hundred and fifty nine years after the
formation of Trinity, the congregations of the three churches moved together and decided to explore what ministry as a joint effort.
In 1992 the churches formed a single parish out of the three congregations, sharing two pastors. With worship service rotating
around the churches, 1993 was marked by joyful monthly combined worship services, prayer, Bible study and significant youth
programs. 1n 1994, the churches voted nearly unanimously to close as individual congregations and begin a single, new Lutheran
church. The year 1995 found the Joint Church Task Force working on a new constitution and studying the three buildings to
recommend which to use. History month at each church celebrated the 370 total years of ministry. At the end of the year, each
church held a closing worship service with many former members and pastors returning for the last time.
On January 1, 1996, Amazing Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church rose from the three congregations and was incorporated in the
state of Maryland that May. The "Ambassadors For Christ" youth choir competed in the prestigious Quaker Oats Gospel Choir
Competition. The first congregational council was elected and installed. The new church was born.
One of the ministries that emerged since Amazing Grace settled on McElderry street is the development of Amazing Port Street
on the 600 block of North Port Street behind the church. This is a place of healing and peace in the heart of our community and
now includes a labyrinth, children's art, a mural and gardens. Amazing Port Street is a project that we do in conjunction with the
McElderry Park Community Association. The development of this beautiful space demonstrates our commitment to the people and
community of East Baltimore. Amazing Grace will continue it's efforts to support the community, and work for the mission of
bringing Jesus to people, and people to Jesus. The congregation of Amazing Grace has a strong mission: Connecting people with
the life changing power of Jesus Christ. This mission is translated into the vision of Amazing Grace, the vision includes: A
powerful and diverse Lutheran Community with over 500 disciples, being open to brokenness, inviting all to healing and
wholeness, calling all to let go of what blocks our growth, and setting ourselves free to live with God's love and justice in our lives
and in the world. Through a lengthy planning process, Amazing Grace has initiated a three year plan for expansion called Mary,
Martha and Lazarus Campaign. The year of 2006 is the Mary year, a time of listening to God and moving in such initiatives as:
expanding worship, increasing membership, partnership development, and creating self funded programs. We look forward to God
creating a sustainable Lutheran congregation on McElderry Street.
The Rev. Karen Brau serves as Pastor of Amazing Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, a spirited congregation located in East
Baltimore. Rev. Brau graduated with a Masters of Divinity from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary in 1988, did course
work at Lutheran Theological College Seminary at Gettysburg. She is a 1981 graduate of Hamilton College In Clinton, NY.
She has two Children, Samuel and Hanna.
Rev. Brau is committed to building a vibrant and sustainable Lutheran congregation in a very challenging mission field. The
congregation of Amazing Grace serves it's community through programs for children, a support group for grandmothers raising
grandchildren and an innovative twelve step Worship Service called "Order Our Steps". Rev. Brau has been a leader in partnering
with the local community association to create Amazing Port Street: A Sacred Commons. This once vacant city block is now the
home to gardens, a Labyrinth and children's are. It serves as an oasis of beauty and delight for the entire community.
Amazing Grace is committed to justice within it's neighborhood and across the region. The congregation is a founding member of
BRIDGE, Baltimore Regional Initiative Developing Genuine Equality, and Rev. Brau has just completed serving as Co-Chair. It
was, her great honor in 2005 to be selected as one of the "100 Top Women" in Maryland by the Daily Record.
Lutheran community was growing. In 1833, Lutherans in Fells Point formed the church that latter became Trinity Evangelical
Lutheran Church, but this is not the only history of Amazing Grace. The history of Amazing Grace comes from all over Baltimore
and three separate congregations. Fifty-seven years after the creation of Trinity, another group of Lutherans organized Martin
Luther English Lutheran Church. The triumvirate was completed in 1892 with the creation of Bethany Evangelical Church.
The paths of the churches began separately, and continued separately for a century.
One hundred years after the creation of Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church, and one hundred and fifty nine years after the
formation of Trinity, the congregations of the three churches moved together and decided to explore what ministry as a joint effort.
In 1992 the churches formed a single parish out of the three congregations, sharing two pastors. With worship service rotating
around the churches, 1993 was marked by joyful monthly combined worship services, prayer, Bible study and significant youth
programs. 1n 1994, the churches voted nearly unanimously to close as individual congregations and begin a single, new Lutheran
church. The year 1995 found the Joint Church Task Force working on a new constitution and studying the three buildings to
recommend which to use. History month at each church celebrated the 370 total years of ministry. At the end of the year, each
church held a closing worship service with many former members and pastors returning for the last time.
On January 1, 1996, Amazing Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church rose from the three congregations and was incorporated in the
state of Maryland that May. The "Ambassadors For Christ" youth choir competed in the prestigious Quaker Oats Gospel Choir
Competition. The first congregational council was elected and installed. The new church was born.
One of the ministries that emerged since Amazing Grace settled on McElderry street is the development of Amazing Port Street
on the 600 block of North Port Street behind the church. This is a place of healing and peace in the heart of our community and
now includes a labyrinth, children's art, a mural and gardens. Amazing Port Street is a project that we do in conjunction with the
McElderry Park Community Association. The development of this beautiful space demonstrates our commitment to the people and
community of East Baltimore. Amazing Grace will continue it's efforts to support the community, and work for the mission of
bringing Jesus to people, and people to Jesus. The congregation of Amazing Grace has a strong mission: Connecting people with
the life changing power of Jesus Christ. This mission is translated into the vision of Amazing Grace, the vision includes: A
powerful and diverse Lutheran Community with over 500 disciples, being open to brokenness, inviting all to healing and
wholeness, calling all to let go of what blocks our growth, and setting ourselves free to live with God's love and justice in our lives
and in the world. Through a lengthy planning process, Amazing Grace has initiated a three year plan for expansion called Mary,
Martha and Lazarus Campaign. The year of 2006 is the Mary year, a time of listening to God and moving in such initiatives as:
expanding worship, increasing membership, partnership development, and creating self funded programs. We look forward to God
creating a sustainable Lutheran congregation on McElderry Street.
The Rev. Karen Brau serves as Pastor of Amazing Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, a spirited congregation located in East
Baltimore. Rev. Brau graduated with a Masters of Divinity from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary in 1988, did course
work at Lutheran Theological College Seminary at Gettysburg. She is a 1981 graduate of Hamilton College In Clinton, NY.
She has two Children, Samuel and Hanna.
Rev. Brau is committed to building a vibrant and sustainable Lutheran congregation in a very challenging mission field. The
congregation of Amazing Grace serves it's community through programs for children, a support group for grandmothers raising
grandchildren and an innovative twelve step Worship Service called "Order Our Steps". Rev. Brau has been a leader in partnering
with the local community association to create Amazing Port Street: A Sacred Commons. This once vacant city block is now the
home to gardens, a Labyrinth and children's are. It serves as an oasis of beauty and delight for the entire community.
Amazing Grace is committed to justice within it's neighborhood and across the region. The congregation is a founding member of
BRIDGE, Baltimore Regional Initiative Developing Genuine Equality, and Rev. Brau has just completed serving as Co-Chair. It
was, her great honor in 2005 to be selected as one of the "100 Top Women" in Maryland by the Daily Record.
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