History of Advent Lutheran Church,
Advent Child Development Center, and
Advent Lutheran Elementary School

With a fervent desire to touch as many lives as possible in Northern Harford County and surrounding areas with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, a core group from St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Bel Air, Maryland, met at the home of Clarence and Marian Broomfield in Jarrettsville, Maryland, December 13, 1992, to explore the possibility of starting a mission church.

On April 16, 1993, the new congregation—Advent Lutheran Church of Harford County, Maryland—was begun by the grace of God.

The first worship service of the new congregation was held at the Broomfield home on June 13, 1993, with the Rev. Paul C. Kreyling, proclaimer. Twenty-four worshippers attended.

At the end of June, Mr. & Mrs. James Griffiths invited the young mission congregation to move into their storefront building located at 2500 Conowingo Road, Hickory, Maryland. The first service in the former video rental shop was held on July 11, 1993. On August 15, 1993, Rev. Kreyling accepted a provisional call to be the first pastor of Advent Lutheran Church. On September 17, 1993, the first election of officers was held: President—Clarence Fry; Vice President—Neil Grayson; Secretary—Clarence Broomfield; Treasurer—James Griffiths; Financial Recorder—Marian Broomfield. The Rev. Dr. Richard L. Alms was the proclaimer for the dedication of the worship facility on September 23, 1993.

Property for the new site located northwest of the intersection of State Routes 23 and 24 was purchased in February 1994.

In January 1995, a call committee was formed to begin the process of calling a full time pastor.

On Sunday, October 29, 1995, a land dedication service was held at Advent's new site in Forest Hill.

In March 1996, the congregation approved a Christian education outreach to the community, the first phase to be a child development center as their mission, and authorized a market survey by the Perspectives Consulting Group of Grand Rapids, Michigan, which indicated Forest Hill as a viable site for a child care center.

On July 19, 1996, the Rev. Roger O. Ruff, Buffalo, New York, accepted the call as the first full time pastor of Advent Lutheran Church.

In August 1996, an ad hoc committee was charged with pursuing the feasibility of a child development center, developing the philosophy and goals for operating the center, producing a business plan, and securing financing for the center.

The Rev. Roger O. Ruff was installed as the first full time pastor on Sunday, November 10, 1996.

The congregation in November 1996 selected the architectural firm of Edmeades, Stromdahl, Associates, Ltd. and the site engineering firm of DSSPE-Engineering to develop and secure approval of a church master plan for the Forest Hill property.

The Advent Child Development Center was officially named by the congregation on May 18, 1997.

In June 1997, the architect was authorized to do a detail design of the facility.

In July 1997, the Advent Child Development Advisory Council was appointed to develop a charter for the center, develop a job description for the director, develop fees and policies for the CDC operations, and to recruit a director.

In September 1997, Jarrettsville Builders, Inc. was chosen for the construction of the first unit in Forest Hill.

The congregation continued to meet in the former video rental shop until Reformation Sunday, October 26, 1997, when the larger part of the building, a former deli, was converted into the new sanctuary with the smaller store being used for Sunday School.

On January 23, 1998, the mortgage agreement between Advent congregation and the Southeastern District, Lutheran Church Extension Fund was signed in a service of praise, prayer, and thanksgiving.

A groundbreaking service was held at Advent's new site in Forest Hill on Sunday, February 15, 1998.

The Advent Child Development Center started its child care in a learning and loving Christian environment for infants from six weeks, toddlers, and children to age five during the celebration of thanksgiving. Mrs. Diane Angone was installed as the Director of the CDC during the worship service on June 21, 1998.

The congregation's last service at the old church site, 2500 Conowingo Road, was held on Sunday, November 1, 1998. Jarrettsville Builders, Inc. transferred the ownership of the new multipurpose facility at Forest Hill to Advent Lutheran Church on Friday, November 6, 1998. The first service at the new site, 2230 Rock Spring Road, was held on Sunday, November 8, 1998.

By April 1999, long-range planning sessions had been held and a long-range planning team appointed. On October 30, 2000, the congregation approved that "with God's blessing and guidance, Advent expand its present facility and undertake to establish a Christian Day School....The expansion should include space for four CDC classrooms and six Day School classrooms (K-Grade 5)."

In November 2001, to meet the heavy demand for meeting space, the congregation gave permission to erect a portable building. A trailer, rented from Williams-Scotsman with two rooms, electricity, and air conditioning, but no restroom facilities or water, was ready in June 2002.

At the September 2002 Voters' Assembly, a principal was called. Advent Lutheran Elementary School became the official name in October 2002. Mrs. Margaret R. Potter accepted the call and began using the trailer as a temporary principal's office and for the interviewing of potential students and their parents on November 1, 2002. An Elementary School Task Force began meeting in November 2002 to complete the myriad details necessary to have the school ready to open in the fall.

Edmeades, Stromdahl Associates, Ltd. was again chosen as architects and Jarrettsville Builders, Inc. as general contractor. Construction began on November 25, 2002 and was completed on July 31, 2003.

Advent Lutheran Elementary School opened on September 2, 2003. The new building was dedicated on Sunday, November 16, 2003, in a service of prayer and praise. The Rev. Dr. Jon Diefenthaler, President, Southeastern District, Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, was the guest preacher. Many state and county dignitaries, as well as other Lutheran notables, attended the service which was led by the school children.

On September 1, 2004, Rev. Roger O. Ruff retired from full-time ministry. In the interim, the Board of Elders secured the services of Rev. Carl H. Kruelle as Vacancy Pastor effective October 1, 2004. Rev. Kruelle concluded his service on June 5, 2005. Various supply pastors were used between this date and January 1, 2007.

The Board of Elders secured the services of Rev. Roger W. Fink as Part-Time Vacancy Pastor effective January 1, 2007. The term of service is to be for at least one year.