emmanuel episcopal church

This church has had a rude pastor of Edward Chapman. People told me how he was so ignorant. He was a very unfriendly man. Even though he died back in February after my visit. He had a following as described to me who may had caused him to be rude at others and that is his fault for not thinking for himself.

It was a beautiful church with stained glass created by Tiffany's. We met the deacon of the church who was very nice and he took the time to tell us the history about the church and that it was a stop for the Underground railroad.

I was born and raised in Cumberland, but it wasn't until I was back to visit that I attended Heritage Days and decided to take "the tour" of the church. This is an amazingly beautiful and painful experience. In the sanctuary you see amazing stained glass by Louis Comfort Tiffany as well as an alter that he designed and executed. In the basement if the church you see the tunnels that were multi purpose, but this is part of the Underground Railroad where slaves waited to make their way to freedom. A tour worth taking.

My family are fairly new members of this church. We started attending regularly 2 years ago. I was very hesitant in joining a new church as we have had some bad experiences with other churches. From the beginning the clergy and other church members have been nothing but welcoming and loving. The building is beautiful, the music is beautiful and all the members are beautiful. The Sunday school teachers are the best. If you are just passing through or are looking for new church home Emmanuel is a great Church to worship.

After seeing this magnificent church on the hill a few months ago, we decided we wanted to attend a worship service there and this morning, Easter 2014, we did just that. The building itself is so beautiful. When we entered the sanctuary, there was no doubt we were in church. The music was so moving, as was the service. The Bishop noticed us in the congregation and approached us and asked our names. He made a point to invite us to the social and egg hunt afterwards. While we're United Methodist, we enjoy visiting churches of other denominations. This was our 2nd visit to an Episcopal Church and found the traditional worship service to be reverent and meaningful. Oh, and the music was extraordinary. We want to go back and take the tour of the facility at some point. The church and gardens are just beautiful.

I grew up going to the church did everything there but pastor. The church is beautiful but it is spiritually dead. The church has been infested with politics and caters "the word" to fit every person's beliefs. It is very beautiful and they do some good things in the community. They thrive on big social elaborate parties. Make sure to dress nice to fit in! Despite my feelings about what the church has become I pray for Emmanuel and hope it rediscovers the true meaning of church. There is absolutely no evidence that the tunnels was a part of anything that had to do with the underground railroad.The tunnels are fascinating and have some great history connected to them. Great spot for pics but not for your soul.

My experience of this building was overwhelming, coming from the UK and entering such a beautiful building made my visit more worth while. I also attended 'Pasta Mania' that evening was utterly outstanding, the food was to die for. I will be back.

Between the Tiffany windows, the historical fort and the tunnels used for the underground railroad, the visit is worth the time. The church is still active, so plan to visit after service hours. A stop at the Parrish house is the place to start to get entrance to the church and its many sites. Take a few minutes in the Bishop's Garden to reflect upon all that has taken place in this historical site.

When we got to Cumberland we stopped at the visitor center and one of the things we were told was this is another Episcopal church with Tiffany Windows. (We saw Trinity Episcopal in Buffalo, New York's windows previously). But as we studied the information about the church, and it's location within the Fort Cumberland's grounds, and it's intricate and deep connections to the Underground Railroad we were just awestruck at it's beauty and fullness of Spirit. The cooperation between escaped slave Samuel Denison and Rev. David Buel made this church part of the last stop for slaves moving north before hitting the Mason Dixon line. What a fascinating history. But then, there are the windows! When you enter the sanctuary and look around you have no problem identifying those exquisite Tiffany windows. The rear windows and the altar windows are more in his traditional style, but the Rizpah Window over the South Door goes more into an art deco design, unique and wonderful. The sanctuary itself is an architectural treat. Just a lovely experience to be in this holy building where great history was made.

We came to see the Tiffany stained glass windows. They are truly beautiful; but there is so much more. It's not only the Tiffany windows that are wonderful, but also the other stained glass and furnishings.We arrived after a Sunday service and the staff was very warm and friendly. They offered to show us around. (They have a wonderful self-guided walking tour brochure that you should use to see all the items.) Our "guide" even took us downstairs to the foundations, where Fort Cumberland stood in George Washington's day and where there are still parts of the tunnels for this final leg of the Civil War era Underground Railroad. It was awesome to be in a place where history intersected many times.The Church architecture is classic. The organ looks and sounds fabulous. The handmade needlepoint kneeler covers are a beautiful classic touch - and a testament to the involvement of the parishoners in keeping this Church beautiful and alive.Do not miss this if you are anywhere near Cumberland.

This church is really beautiful, I do not attend this church, but I have visited on some occasions, the outside is amazing and same with the inside it is well organized it's small, but it is really nice and a piece of history. Never been through the tunnels before, but a lot of people love going through!!! I am proud to call this church part of my hometown!!! My advice to travelers if you ever visit Cumberland please come see this church.

We left the Baltimore area in time to attend the service at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Cumberland, Maryland, but forgot to turn our clocks back the night before so we missed the service. But the Father and many members were still there when we arrived and were very kind and showed us around the church, including the underground tunnels. They also have some beautiful "Tiffany" windows in the church. This is a stop for history and Christian fellowship.Bruce H. Roush, Jr.