About Church of the Nativity · Timonium, Maryland
Church of the Nativity is a Roman Catholic parish in Timonium, Maryland, in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, founded in 1968 as a distinctly different kind of parish grounded in Catholic tradition and Eucharistic faith while embracing the new priorities of the Second Vatican Council. Today the parish is led by Fr. Michael White and is well known for its outward-facing approach to the 'New Evangelization,' reaching unchurched Catholics in North Baltimore through its vibrant weekend Masses, dynamic Next Gen programming for children and students, and an online presence that livestreams services and offers on-demand content. The Ridgely Road campus features a sanctuary seating 1,500, two fellowship cafés (Vision Cafe and Cafe Vista), and is currently expanding through the Wonder Campaign to add a 17,000-square-foot Next Gen ministry center.
- Established
- 1968
- Patron
- The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)
- Rector
- Rev. Michael White
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Baltimore
Why belong here
Church of the Nativity draws people in with weekend Masses that feel both faithful and welcoming — a state-of-the-art sanctuary seating 1,500, a children's program for kids 6 weeks through 4th grade at every Mass, and post-Mass coffee and donuts at both Vision Cafe and Cafe Vista make arriving as a guest feel easy. Robust Next Gen small-group ministry for kids through 12th grade (Quest, All Stars, Uprising, Resurrection, Time Travelers) gives families a clear path to grow together. For those who can't make it in person, the parish livestreams Mass and offers on-demand video, and for those beyond Baltimore, the parish team shares what they've learned about parish renewal through Rebuilt Parish.
Mass times at Church of the Nativity
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday 4:00–5:00 pm
- Saturday 12:00–1:00 pm
Adoration times
- Sunday 9:00 am – 12:00 pm (Chapel)
- First Friday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (Chapel)
About Church of the Nativity
Church of the Nativity describes itself as a growing community of disciples that is orthodox in Catholic faith while being dynamic and creative in its commitment to the New Evangelization. Its mission statement is simply: Love God. Love Others. Make Disciples. The parish's stated vision is to make church matter by growing disciples among disconnected Catholics in North Baltimore and influencing other churches to do the same elsewhere. The parish leadership emphasizes an 'irresistible' weekend environment of music, message, and ministry, paired with equally excellent programs for kids and students.
- Mission: Love God. Love Others. Make Disciples.
- Vision: Make church matter — grow disciples among disconnected Catholics in North Baltimore and influence other churches.
- Emphasis on 'creatively reaching out to disconnected Catholics in our North Baltimore community with a fresh and relevant presentation of the life-changing message of the Gospel.'
Parish History
Established in 1968 in the York Road corridor of Timonium by Monsignor Charles Frederick Meisel, the parish was conceived from the start as an outreach-oriented community rooted in Eucharistic faith and the renewed priorities of the Second Vatican Council. The 1970 east wing of the Ridgely Road campus was built originally as classroom space for religious education, and before that building opened, Mass was said in the gym of nearby Ridgely Middle School. Monsignor Meisel served as pastor for 28 years until his retirement in 1996 and died in 2020 at age 96 at Stella Maris.
- Founded 1968 by Monsignor Charles F. Meisel along the York Road corridor in Timonium.
- 1970: dedicated east wing built for religious education classrooms.
- Pre-building Masses held at Ridgely Middle School gym ('Our Lady of the Gym').
- 2016: Vision Campaign added the current sanctuary, nearly tripling seating capacity.
- Current era: parish leadership focused on intentional parish renewal and the New Evangelization.
The Wonder Campaign — Building for the Next Generation
Wonder is the parish's capital campaign to fund a 17,000-square-foot expansion of its Next Gen ministry center, named for the Psalm 78 line 'tell the next generation the wonders of the Lord.' Phase one raised $10.5 million in pledges during Lent, with a total campaign goal of $15 million and a projected groundbreaking in spring 2027. The project is designed to take Nativity from a weekend-only operation to a campus open throughout the week for faith, friendship, and formation.
- Goal: 17,000 sq ft Next Gen Wing designed by Hord Coplan Macht with Morris & Ritchie Associates as civil engineers.
- Phase 1 pledged $10.5 million during Lent; total goal $15 million.
- Groundbreaking planned spring 2027; move-in about 15 months later.
- New atrium with interactive child check-in and safety features.
- Expanded nursery for ages 6 weeks to 6 years closer to the front of the building.
- New spacious gathering spaces replacing the narrow central classroom corridor.
- Upstairs multipurpose space for adult small groups, ministry teams, and parish staff.
- Doubling the chapel so it can host weddings, baptisms, funerals, and daily Mass.
- Outdoor amphitheater backing to the forest conservation area plus a playground.
- Full infrastructure upgrade: HVAC, security, roofing, and electrical.
Next Gen: Faith Formation for Kids and Students
Next Gen is the parish's umbrella name for its religious education and youth ministry programs, serving more than 1,000 children and students every weekend from age 6 weeks through 12th grade. The model is built around small discipleship groups (typically 10–12 students) whose content runs in parallel with the adult weekend message. Daniel Miller serves as Next Gen Director.
- All Stars — Ages 6 weeks to 6 years, during weekend Masses.
- Time Travelers — Young elementary program during weekend Masses.
- Quest — Grades 1–4, kids' small groups on Saturday evenings and Sunday mornings.
- Uprising — Grades 5–8, student small groups on Sunday evenings.
- Resurrection — Grades 9–12, student small groups on Sunday evenings.
- Student leaders serve as altar servers, sacristans, and mentors to younger children.
- Confirmation is prepared within the high school Resurrection track.
Adult Small Groups
Small groups are central to Nativity's discipleship strategy for adults as well as students. Many groups currently meet in host homes or off-campus locations; the Wonder expansion will add on-campus meeting rooms so that parents can join adult small groups while their children participate in Next Gen programs.
Pastoral Leadership and Staff
The parish is led by Rev. Michael White, Pastor. He is joined by pastoral associate Tom Corcoran, with whom he co-authored the parish-renewal book Rebuilt (Ave Maria Press, 2013) and follow-up volumes including Tools for Rebuilding, Rebuilding Your Message, churchmoney, and Seriously, God?. Daniel Miller serves as Director of Next Gen and is a key voice in the Wonder capital campaign. The Office of the Parish is at 20 East Ridgely Road, Timonium, MD 21093, reachable at (410) 252-6080 and [email protected].
- Rev. Michael White — Pastor
- Tom Corcoran — Pastoral Associate and co-author
- Daniel Miller — Next Gen Director
Visit, Connect, and Giving
Newcomers are welcomed at any weekend Mass, with children's programs provided at all Masses for kids 6 weeks through 4th grade and student programs for grades 5–12 on Sunday evenings. After Mass, both Vision Cafe and Cafe Vista are open serving coffee, donuts, bagels, and pizza. Those at home can join online via the livestream at 9:00 am and 11:00 am Sundays, with recordings available on demand through the parish website and apps (Apple TV and Roku). The parish also runs a dedicated prayer-request ministry and gives online through churchnativity.com/give.
- Mass livestreamed Saturdays at 5 pm and Sundays at 9 am and 11 am.
- Available via website, mobile app, Apple TV, and Roku.
- Prayer request team available via the website.
- Online giving at churchnativity.com/give.
- Vision Cafe and Cafe Vista open after all weekend Masses.
Rebuilt Parish — Helping Other Parishes
As part of its mission of making disciples by helping other parishes make disciples, Nativity runs Rebuilt Parish, an initiative offering content, connection, and coaching to pastors and parish teams who want to renew parish life. The resources draw directly on the experience chronicled in the Rebuilt books and on what the Nativity team has learned in its own congregation.
- Rebuilt (Ave Maria Press, 2013) — founding book on parish renewal.
- Follow-up titles: Tools for Rebuilding, Rebuilding Your Message, churchmoney, Seriously, God?
- Rebuilt Parish offers content, coaching, and connection to other parishes and pastors.
Contact and Directions
The parish is at 20 East Ridgely Road, Timonium, MD 21093, just a 10-minute drive to Baltimore and roughly an hour to Washington, DC. On-campus parking is available, and the buildings are served by both Vision Cafe and Cafe Vista for fellowship after Mass. Office phone: (410) 252-6080; fax (410) 252-2657; general email [email protected].
- Address: 20 East Ridgely Road, Timonium, MD 21093.
- Phone: (410) 252-6080.
- Fax: (410) 252-2657.
- Email: [email protected].
- Web/app support and prayer-request teams available through the Contact page.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Monsignor Charles Frederick Meisel1968–1996
Founding pastor; previously served St. Anthony of Padua, Baltimore; ordained 1950 at the Basilica of the National Shrine; died 2020 at age 96, the oldest living priest of the Archdiocese of Baltimore at the time of his death. Celebrated first Masses at Ridgely Middle School gym before the 1970 building was constructed.
- Rev. Michael WhiteCurrent
Current pastor; co-author with Tom Corcoran of Rebuilt and related works on parish renewal and the New Evangelization.