Kensington Baptist Church has been in Kensington since October 11, 1922. It moved to it's current location on Connecticut Avenue in 1956 and was remodeled to look how it does now in 1984-85. During the summer, children can participate in Vacation Bible School, while during school months Kensington Baptist Church offers English as a Second Language courses and more. The Parent Encouragement Program is run out of the church through a separate entrance in the back. Follow the PEP signs to find the entrance.
The Prevention of Blindness Antique Shop is located on Antique Row. The shop raises money for prevention for macular degeneration under the Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington. Donations are accepted and are tax deductible.
When walking into the well-filled, house-like building, visitors are greeted by manager Barbara Galitzin or volunteers. The antique shop offers furniture from the 1700s - 1960s (and sometimes newer); clothing including shirts, slacks and scarves; photographs; artwork and old postcards; porcelain China and glasses; books and other collectibles.
In addition to selling items, the shop also accepts glasses and frames to recycle. Last year the Prevention of Blindness Antique Shop collected 30,000 pairs.
At Resurrection Lutheran Church, children ages two through five can visit the Children's Center during the week and take lessons like Bible stories and songs, science, Spanish language and more. Regular Sunday worship services are also available, including summer hours.
Crossway Community Inc. is a local non-profit organization that provides women, children and families economic and social rehabilitation.
It consists of three entities: Family Leadership School, Montessori Program and Intergenerational Learning Center. Through these entities families are given the tools and the opportunity to reshape their lives and develop a positive involvement in the community. Treatment includes group therapy, short- and long-term stays, multigenerational approaches and early childhood development.
The Jubilee Association of Maryland is a non-profit organization that provides community-based residential services and support for adults with intellectual and other developmental disabilities in the Montgomery County area. It offers adults with developmental disabilities opportunities to live in their communities, while also fulfilling their personal, family and spiritual needs. Services and programs offered by the organization include training, support services, short-term crisis intervention work, educational programs and more. The organization is affiliated with the Hyattsville Mennonite Church, and has served people of all faiths for more than 30 years.
Beside the Ken-Gar Community Center is Lee Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Church, which has been a part of Kensington for more than 100 years. The church offers prayer group, youth and adult Bible study and Sunday School.
Every Sunday witnesses gather at the Kingdom Hall for a public discourse followed by Watch Tower readings and studies. Witnesses hold weekly meetings where several elders or guests stand up and read The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures and then talk about the readings and help witnesss apply them to every day life. It's not so much considered preaching as teaching. Witnesses practice bible study and travel to homes in the community to talk about scriptures.
Upon entering the Kingdom Hall in Kensington, visitors, whether or not they are members, are greeted and welcomed by Witnesses. Guests can take a seat in the meeting place, which is decorated with scripture quotes on the wall. Witnesses bring their own bibles and song books to follow along with the discourses.
Four congregations meet at this location, including French and Spanish congregations and the central Kensington and Rock Creek Park congregations.
Montgomery Municipal Channel can be found on channel 16 for Comcast, Verizon and RCN customers in Kensington. The MMC is located on the first floor of the Armory building. Pass the meeting halls, and enter the station where cameras, lighting and sets can be found. The station is for public, education and government programming and also serves as a medium where local musicians can showcase their talents on TV.
Holy Cross Church, located in Kensington, is a Catholic religious institution. It also includes a school for children in pre-kindergarten to the eighth grade as well as a school of religion, sacramental preparation, bible study class, catholic group book club and adult choir group. For more information on offered services, call the telephone number or visit the website listed.
Kensington Heights Park is a midsize neighborhood green space that includes benches, picnic tables, a basketball net, a blacktop with chalk outlines for games such as hopscotch, a swing set and a modernized playground. There's lots to do and lots of space to breathe, with plenty of trees and a grass field. The Wayne M. Goldstein Playground is a colorful climbing set perfect for young children to explore until sunset, when the park closes.
The Kensington Park public library has been serving the local community since 1969 and is easily accessible by Ride On Bus and the Metro. The library features meeting rooms, computers, printers and copiers. A dedicated children's room offers kids a quiet place to enjoy books and a spot to study with friends.
Based in Kensington, MD., St. Paul's United Methodist Church is a center of worship and spirituality, serving the Kensington community for over 125 years. It offers a number of programs and ministries for adults, youth and children. This large and growing congregation welcomes and serves its neighbors through its monthly pancake breakfast, its bi-annual yard sales, the apple sale and pumpkin patch each autumn, the Christmas tree sale in December, the mulch sale in the spring, and vacation bible school in the summer. The church also has on ongoing passion to feed its neighbors through their many hunger ministries. They are all about feeding people at St. Paul's!
The Beacon is a free, monthly publication focusing on issues that effect people 50 years old and over. Serving the Washington, DC and Baltimore areas since 1989 and 2003, respectively, the paper includes articles about health and fitness, aging, travel, housing opportunities and noteworthy local people and businesses. The paper is free at distribution sites and yearly subscriptions are available for $12.72 via third-class mail or $36 via first-class mail plus sales tax, if applicable. The Beacon's local stories are written by a small staff of writers and freelancers. It also includes selected Associated Press wire stories.
This children's library is slightly hidden from the road by trees and offers ample seating outside for children and their parents to read. The one-room library is a historic landmark in Kensington and has a partnership with the Kensington Park Library.
Now in its fourth location, Christ Episcopal Church has been around since 1898. The congregation started as 20 people back in 1898. The parish currently has 600 communicants and about 100 students in Sunday school. Members of the parish pride themselves on philanthropic work. Whether it's working with Meals on Wheels or overseas programs, the church has a bulletin board full of volunteer and fundraising opportunities for its members.
Capitol View-Homewood Park offers tennis and basketball courts, a jungle gym, picnic areas and a recreational buidling, which can be rented.
For park permits, call 301-495-2525 or e-mail [email protected].
In 1894, the Town of Kensington was founded. Governed by a mayor and four Town Council members, the Town of Kensington, also known as the Armory, is located off of Mitchell Street and houses the historical society archives, the mayor's office, council chambers and town hall meeting spaces. The middle floor includes the Victorian Parlor and the Drill Hall. Visit the Town of Kensington for town council meetings, the County Council Candidates forum (where you can meet candidates for office) and other meetings.
The Parent Encouragement Program (PEP) is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting parents throughout Montgomery County, northwest District of Columbia and northern Virginia. The organization offers positive parenting classes, workshops and support groups for parents with children of all ages. For schedule information, visit the PEP Web site.
The First Baptist Church Ken-Gar of Kensington was founded in 1920 and was rebuilt July 1, 1968. The brick building with a small bell tower has a lot of parking available in the newly done parking lot, as well as off street parking. The church offers Sunday school, new disciples class and Mass. Patrons can also attend Bible study on Wednesdays.