How Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects honors history through contemporary design in Baltimore’s faith communities
At Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects, our approach to sacred spaces is defined by a deep-seated reverence for history and community. When breathing new life into a historic landmark, we prioritize a design philosophy that bridges past and present. By “giving historic structures the Architectural respect that they deserve,” as Stefanie Tincher, Project Architect at M&D, put it, we ensure every modern intervention honors the space’s roots.
This commitment is captured in our designs for Baltimore-area places of worship: Roland Park Presbyterian Church, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Beth Tfiloh Congregation & Community School, and Old St. Paul's Episcopal Church.
Roland Park Presbyterian Church
Construction for the renovations and exterior improvements at Roland Park Presbyterian Church recently wrapped up, with the updated worship space featuring an expanded, opened chancel that fosters a more intimate and inclusive worship experience. “We created a more open connection between the pastor and the congregants,” says Tincher. New ADA access to the chancel from the seating area and a refreshed vestibule entry space are also included in the design.
All the while, new elements are designed to appear as though they have always been part of the historic fabric. Carefully selected materials include interior glazed tile and exterior flagstone walkways and stair treads. The congregants themselves have even noted that the enhanced chancel looks like it has always been there—a testament to a modernized space that deeply respects its heritage.
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
Construction for additions to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church is poised to be complete by mid-2027. The original building dates back 150 years and has been through two additions in its lifetime. “Over time, those two expansions did not age very well,” says Tincher. M&D’s design involves demolishing those additions and adding a new 8,000 square feet wing that will include a fellowship hall, administrative offices, support spaces, nursery and classrooms. The addition will honor the historic church’s “white” board-and-batten-style exterior cladding, asphalt shingle roof, and flagstone walkways.
This transformation is a collaborative effort, guided by a deeply invested building committee from the church community. “They care deeply about this project, and getting to know them over the past couple of years has been a really nice experience,” says Tincher.
Beth Tfiloh Synagogue
The historic Beth Tfiloh Synagogue built in 1961 and designed by notable Architect Morris Lapidus, embodies a modern timber-framed design within a complex 12-sided geometry, which represents the 12 tribes of Israel. Renovated once in 2006, M&D has designed a “fresh renovation” providing a more intimate seating arrangement for approximately 600 attendees in smaller seating sections and with a modified platform and new central Bimah (where the cantor reads the Torah) to bring the Rabbi and cantor closer to the people. The design also includes a mechanical overhaul designed to improve congregant comfort, including doubling the number of return air locations to eliminate uneven air currents and bringing lighting with LED lamps that more evenly spread light across the space.
“We're also including something called a Mechitza,” says Peter Schwab, Senior Architect at M&D. The Mechitza, or a traditional separation between the men and women in an Orthodox synagogue, will be updated to include translucent polycarbonate panels embedded with hemp harvested in the Middle East and supported by brass and wood railings. The bidding process for the project is currently underway.
Old St. Paul's Episcopal Church
M&D has designed multiple projects for Old St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, a building originally designed by the renowned Architect Richard Upjohn that dates back to 1856. The current project centers around adding a metal security gate to the covered portico at the entrance of the church. In partnership with Baltimore’s Commission for Historical and Architectural Preservation (CHAP) and the church’s congregation, M&D has designed a solution that protects the church while referencing historic precedents.
“We visited another church named Lovely Lane United Methodist Church and saw a similar installation of gates that prevented people from trying to live underneath the porticos,” says Schwab. M&D’ s design at Old St. Paul’s involves gates—folding metal gates to be installed behind the historic stone columns—which can be open during a typical day and closed at night, with phone or key fob security access. Due to the building’s historic nature, perhaps the trickiest part of the project is the permitting process, which Schwab says he’s been directly involved in to ease the burden on the church.
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When breathing new life into a historic landmark, we prioritize a design philosophy that bridges past and present.