St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Hampden is coming back to life under new ownership, more than a year after religious services were last held there.
Members of Hampden Mennonite Church, the new owners, will hold their first service in the building on Sunday.
Hampden Mennonite Holdings LLC, an entity affiliated with the congregation, acquired the former Catholic church at 1008 W. 37th St. and three other buildings on the block on April 13. Church leaders have been working with city officials since then to get approval to hold services there.
After passing inspections and receiving an occupancy permit from the city, “Hampden Mennonite Church is all set for our inaugural service this coming Sunday at 10 a.m.” with a potluck lunch to follow, Pastor Nathan Zook said in an email message.
The seller was the Archdiocese of Baltimore, which listed the church for sale in June of 2025 as part of its “Seek the City to Come” initiative to realign parishes and sell surplus properties in the city. The last Mass in the church was held in December of 2024.
The Mennonite congregation, is moving from its previous location in the 1200 block of W. 36th St. in Hampden. As part of its transaction with the Archdiocese, Hampden Mennonite Holdings also acquired the former St. Thomas Aquinas School at 3700 Roland Ave., a rectory, a convent, an outdoor play area and 47 off-street parking spaces on a 1.2-acre parcel bounded by Roland Avenue on the east, 37th Street on the south and Hickory Avenue on the west. The price was $1.8 million.
Designed by noted architect George Frederick and completed in 1871 at a cost of $20,000, the church on 37th Street has seating for about 260 people. The former St. Thomas Aquinas School is being renovated to become the new home of the Hampden Christian School, which is affiliated with the church.
Zook, who has been the church’s pastor since 2014, said the congregation hopes to have a dedication ceremony with Mayor Brandon Scott “after we get a few more renovations done,” maybe in August or September. He said he expects Baltimore City Council member Odette Ramos to attend the inaugural service on Sunday.
