Emmanuel Parish of the Episcopal Church

Keeping Emmanuel Accessible Through a Website Transition

In early March, the historic Emmanuel Parish faced a fast-approaching deadline. Its old website was difficult to edit or update, contained frustrating and unsightly glitches, and was no longer serving the church well. The parish had chosen not to renew a hosting contract set to expire April 1. They needed an updated, easy-to-use website before their existing one went dark.

As members of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland, the parish had heard good things about Worship Times. After looking at our work for other EDM churches, they became hopeful that we could help. They were even willing to go without an online presence for a few days if necessary. 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. Ease of use, for visitors and staff, was a priority. Emmanuel also wanted a fresh appearance that reflected 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 a new build, while their team created and gathered the content.

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

For Emmanuel, welcoming visitors means helping people explore a historically and architecturally significant space as well as an active congregation. Newcomers are attracted by century-old Tiffany artwork, stone tunnels used in the Underground Railroad, and an old cemetery nearby that is partially maintained by parish volunteers. The new site needed clear information about services and ministries, along with the unique tours and wedding venue options available at the church.

Visitors can now take care of the practical details directly on the site. They can fill out forms, review contracts, schedule visits, sign up to volunteer, pay for tickets and make donations. Bringing those steps together supports the visitor engagement that is a meaningful extension of Emmanuel’s mission.

People can also begin exploring the church’s art and history before they arrive. A special section combines vivid photography with detailed descriptions of stained glass windows, historic drawings, intricate needlepoint and striking architecture, inviting visitors to explore more online and in person. To carry Emmanuel’s identity throughout the site, our designer adapted the church’s logo into custom background “wallpaper,” adding subtle branding and cohesion to each page.

For guests joining worship online, the weekly YouTube livestream is easy to find. A page features the current broadcast alongside thumbnails and links to previous services, keeping worship accessible beyond the church building.

The completed site gives Emmanuel a digital home that honors its history and supports its present-day ministries, without the interruption the parish had been prepared to accept. In ‘build world’, this kind of quick turnaround doesn’t happen often. We are grateful for the trust and collaboration that kept Emmanuel connected through the transition.