1970s

• The Bible Speaks, a Christian nondenominational school and religious organization in Lenox, Massachusetts, is the parent church of Stillmeadow. The founder of The Bible Speaks, Dr. Carl Stevens, and members fled Massachusetts and settled in Baltimore to re-establish themselves. Once in Baltimore, The Bible Speaks split into two groups: one in East and one in West Baltimore. Pastor Steven Duff led the main group, which settled in East Baltimore. Pastor Joel Freeman, who recently graduated from The Bible Speaks training program, led the group in West Baltimore. Lucine Young, a founding member of the organization, opened her home on Belview Avenue for the West Baltimore group to hold church services. Joyce Swayne and Renee Tuck are founding members who led a bible study with praise and worship in Lucine Young’s home. When the church attendance began to overwhelm Young’s home, the members rented a Lantern Hills apartment to hold services. Pastor Joel Freeman, Laurie Freeman, and founding members expanded The Bible Speaks in Columbia, MD, holding church services in several places, including the Howard County YMCA, Waterloo Elementary, and intermittently in the basement of Pastor Freeman and Laurie Freeman’s house. While moving from place to place in Columbia, MD, they looked fervently for church properties to buy. 

• Listen to Richard Shuey’s oral history to learn more!(include link here)