Emmanuel Parish of the Episcopal Church

In early March, the historic Emmanuel Parish contacted us with a very modern request: they needed an updated, easy-to-use website – in record time.

Because their old site was no longer serving them well, the church had chosen not to renew a hosting contract that was set to expire April 1. As members of the Episocopal Diocese of Maryland, the parish had heard good things about Worship Times. They checked out some of our work for other EDM churches, and became hopeful that we could help them build a whole new website by the time their old one went dark. They were even willing to go without an online presence for a few days if necessary to make the switch. We assured them that they would not have to lose service – as long as their team was ready to act fast.

With all hands on deck, we undertook the ambitious project.

Their site at the time was difficult to edit or update, and contained some frustrating and unsightly glitches. So we knew that ease of use, for visitors and staff, would be a priority.

Emmanuel Parish also wanted a fresh appearance for their site to reflect who they are today — an active, vibrant church with deep historical roots dating back to the 18th century. We worked on the design, often the most time-consuming part of any new build, while their team created and gathered the content needed for their new digital home.

Clear priorities and fast decision-making kept the project moving efficiently. ‘They were amazing! So on the ball,’ our project manager recalls. ‘It was very exciting to see it come together.’

As stewards of a historically and architecturally significant space, visitor engagement is a meaningful extension of this church’s mission. Newcomers are attracted by the century-old Tiffany artwork, stone tunnels used in the Underground Railroad, and an old cemetery nearby that is partially maintained by parish volunteers. So the new website needed to offer clear information not only about the typical services and ministries, but also about the unique tours and wedding venue options available at Emmanuel. Website users can fill out forms, review contracts, schedule visits, sign up to volunteer and even pay for tickets and make donations directly from the new site.

We also created a special section to further showcase Emmanuel’s deep connection to art and history. Vivid photography and detailed descriptions of the church’s stained glass windows, historic drawings, intricate needlepoint, and striking architecture invite visitors to explore more — both online and in person.

To weave the church’s identity throughout the site, our designer adapted Emmanuel’s logo into a custom background “wallpaper.” This unique design element adds subtle branding and cohesion to each page, reflecting the church’s unity of past and present.

The new site also makes it easy for guests to find the church’s weekly livestreams, which they post on Youtube. There is a page with the current broadcast, along with thumbnails and links to previous services.

As the new website demonstrates, the congregation at Emmanuel Parish is deeply rooted in history while also thriving in the present. The updated digital home honors their legacy and supports a vibrant future.

In ‘build world’, this kind of quick turnaround doesn’t happen often. We are grateful for the trust and collaboration that made this exceptional accomplishment possible.