Our Heritage

DaySpring Presbyterian Church was first imagined through the prayers of several families in Linthicum. Their desire was to see a Bible-believing, Bible-teaching church located in their neighborhood with a strong involvement in the community. What follows is how the imagination of these families became a reality through the marvelous work of God.

Spring 2002
Arch Van Devender, pastor at Severn Run Evangelical Presbyterian Church first mentioned the idea of a church plant in the Severn/Hanover area to Michael Horrigan (associate pastor at Timonium Presbyterian Church).

At about the same time, through a totally unrelated series of events a community Bible study made up of folks who live in and around the Linthicum area was started under the direction of Barry Smith, an associate pastor at Severna Park Evangelical Presbyterian Church (SPEP). Those families who had been praying for a Linthicum area church were part of this study.

October 2002
Arch Van Devender and Barry Smith learned of each other’s plans and considered the wisdom of pursuing a church plant jointly.

December 2002
Michael Horrigan and his wife Kathleen began a series of meetings with Barry Smith and Stephen Kaiss, an elder at SPEP and a member of the Linthicum bible study.

April 2003
Pastor Horrigan led a series of Bible study meetings with the Linthicum group to communicate in general terms his vision concerning a mission church. The study was called: God’s Purposes for His People and His Church; Planting a Great Commission/Great Commandment Fulfilling Church.

May 27, 2003
The newly formed Strategic Planning Team met for the first time, and shortly thereafter the name DaySpring Presbyterian Church was chosen for the name of the Linthicum church plant.

October 5, 2003
DaySpring held it’s first open house at the Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies (MITAGS) in Linthicum. This was the first time that folks from many different churches interested in being a part of this church met for the first time.

November 2, 2003
Church plants can be categorized as either “hard” or “soft”. A hard launch occurs when most of the preparation and promotion is done before the first service is ever held. A soft launch uses a series of low-keyed services before the real kickoff to aide in the preparation process. This is the avenue that the DaySpring planning team chose. On Sunday night, November 2nd, at MITAGS, the first service for DaySpring was held.

November 2003 – January 25, 2004
Sunday evening services continued at the Maritime Institute through a limited-time arrangement graciously provided by that facility. The planning committee used this time to contact other facilities. Lura Cavel, minister at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, was one of the people contacted. An agreement was reached with Lura and the leaders at St. Christopher’s to enter into what all considered a mutually beneficial arrangement.

February 1, 2004 (Super Bowl Sunday)
DaySpring met for the first time at St. Christopher’s church for our Sunday evening service. Evening services continued through the spring, with the last one on May 23.

May 30, 2004
The first Sunday morning service was held, still without a community-wide promotion. This service served as the last “practice” before the official launch on June 6th.