Church of the Nativity

What Church of the Nativity does

Church of the Nativity is a Catholic parish located at 20 E Ridgely Road in Timonium, Maryland (Lutherville Timonium), operating under the governance of the Archdiocese of Baltimore since its founding in 1968. The parish serves the North Baltimore market with weekend Masses (Saturday 5pm; Sunday 9am, 11am, and a 5:30pm student Mass), daily Mass, confessions, adoration, and a comprehensive ministry portfolio spanning sacramental preparation, faith formation, and community outreach. It employs approximately 47 staff and reports a current annual operating budget of $6.5 million, up from $3 million at the start of the Vision Campaign, and serves over 1,000 children and students weekly through its Next Gen programs spanning ages 6 weeks through grade 12.

The parish operates a multi-platform digital distribution layer in addition to its physical campus: Nativity Online streams weekend Masses and on-demand content via YouTube Live; native iOS and Android apps provide 24/7 access to messages, small group materials, event registration, and giving; and dedicated Roku and Apple TV apps extend the same content to televisions. Giving infrastructure includes OnlineGiving.org for recurring and one-time online gifts, SMS-based Text-to-Give, stock and asset donations through Overflow, Qualified Charitable Distributions from IRAs, employer matching gifts, and the three-year Wonder Campaign capital pledge for facility expansion. Age-segmented ministry programs include All Stars (6 weeks-6 years), Time Travelers (Grades 1-4), Quest, Resurrection (Grades 5-8), Uprising (Grades 9-12), a Young Adults ministry for parishioners in their 20s and 30s, and a Buddy Ministry for children with special needs.

The parish's primary revenue model is voluntary tithing and sacrificial giving from parishioners, supplemented by registration and program support for sacramental preparation, retreats, and mission trips. Distribution and acquisition are community-led, supported by the parish's Next S.T.E.P.S. integration pathway (Serve, Tell, Evangelize, Pray, Share), small group finder, Prayer Wall, and "Invite a Friend" mechanism. Church of the Nativity has been elevated to a national parish renewal model through its strategic partnership with Rebuilt Parish, a nonprofit organization that uses Nativity as the reference case for guiding other US and international parishes through transformation. Current capacity expansion is being executed via the Wonder Campaign, a 17,000-square-foot facility expansion approved by Archdiocesan committees and the Archbishop in September 2024, targeting a May 2027 groundbreaking and Fall 2028 opening.

Name

Church of the Nativity

Legal name

Church of the Nativity

Website

https://churchnativity.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1968

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Church of the Nativity is a Catholic parish in Timonium, Maryland, founded in 1968 under the Archdiocese of Baltimore, serving North Baltimore with weekend Masses, age-segmented Next Gen ministries from nursery through 12th grade, sacramental preparation, and multi-platform digital worship and giving.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Catholic Parish Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Religious Organizations (81311)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based Education & Formation (Seminaries, Religious Schools, Catechesis) (BPAGAJAD)

Keywords

• Catholic parish services
• Worship and faith formation
• Youth ministry programs
• Sacramental preparation
• Live streamed Mass

Headquarters

HQ city

Timonium

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Tithes and Offerings: Regular Sunday and Saturday Mass collections where parishioners give financially as an act of worship. Giving is framed around biblical principles of tithing (10% standard) and sacrificial giving.
2. Online Giving: One-time and recurring gifts processed through onlinegiving.org platform. Donors can give via checking account, credit card, or debit card. Recurring gifts can be scheduled at any interval.
3. Text-to-Give: SMS-based donations where supporters text GIVE and amount to 88877. One-time gift option for offertory contributions.
4. Stock and Asset Donations: Gifts of marketable securities (stocks, bonds, mutual funds) donated directly from brokerage accounts without requiring sale. Also includes non-cash gifts and estate planning.
5. Cash and Check Gifts: In-person offerings at weekend Masses and mail-in check donations to the parish address.
6. Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD): IRA owners age 72+ can give directly from their IRA to Nativity as a QCD, which counts toward their required minimum distribution.
7. Matching Gifts: Employer matching gift programs accepted, potentially doubling or tripling donor contributions. EIN: 52-0894058.
8. Wonder Campaign: Capital campaign for Next Gen facilities expansion including new chapel, multipurpose spaces, and infrastructure upgrades. Three-year commitment structure with options for stocks, automatic giving, or upfront gifts.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Church of the Nativity is a Catholic parish in Timonium, MD that delivers weekend and daily Masses, sacramental preparation (Baptism, Reconciliation, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, Anointing), and comprehensive faith formation programs for all ages. Offerings include Next Gen ministries for children ages 6 weeks through grade 12 (All Stars, Time Travelers, Quest, Resurrection, Uprising), small groups, young adult ministries, the Catholic Journey series (Spark, Ignite, ReIgnite), and Buddy Ministry for special needs, delivered both in-person at the Ridgely Road campus and digitally via Nativity Online, the mobile app, and TV apps.

Product overview

Church of the Nativity is a Catholic parish in Timonium, MD offering a multi-platform worship and faith formation experience. The core offerings include in-person weekend Masses at their Ridgely Road campus (Saturdays 5pm, Sundays 9am, 11am, and 5:30pm student Mass) and digital access via Nativity Online (live streaming and on-demand content on web, mobile app, and TV apps including Roku and Apple TV). The church provides giving options through Online Giving, Text-to-Give, and Stock & Asset Giving. Next Gen Programs serve children from 6 weeks to 12th grade through age-specific ministries including All Stars, Time Travelers, Quest, Resurrection, and Uprising. Additional offerings include the Your Catholic Journey faith formation series (Spark, Ignite, ReIgnite), Buddy Ministry for special needs, and the Wonder Campaign capital expansion project. The parish also partners with Rebuilt Parish for broader church renewal initiatives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Rebuilt Parish: A partnership for parish renewal - Church of the Nativity partners with Rebuilt Parish, a nonprofit organization inspired by the book Rebuilt, dedicated to guiding parishes across the US and around the world seeking renewal and transformation.

Products and services

• Nativity Online Online campus providing live streaming of weekend Masses (Saturdays 5pm, Sundays 9am and 11am ET) and on-demand access to messages, small group materials, kids messages, and student messages for remote attendees and parishioners.
• Nativity Mobile App Native mobile application for iOS and Android providing on-demand access to Masses, messages, and small group materials 24/7, plus event registration, serving opportunities sign-ups, and giving functionality for parishioners.
• Nativity TV Apps Smart TV applications for Roku and Apple TV enabling viewing of Masses, messages, and small group content on television screens for parishioners and remote viewers.
• Online Giving Digital giving platform allowing one-time and recurring donations via checking account, credit or debit card through partnership with OnlineGiving.org, enabling parishioners and supporters to give to the parish remotely.
• Text-to-Give SMS-based giving service allowing donors to text GIVE and a dollar amount to 88877 for one-time offertory gifts, processed as standard SMS donations.
• Stock and Asset Giving Program for donating marketable securities such as stocks, bonds, or mutual funds directly from brokerage accounts without requiring sale, processed through partnership with Overflow.
• Your Catholic Journey Faith formation program series including Spark (exploring faith), Ignite (for those preparing for baptism/confirmation), and ReIgnite (for practicing Catholics seeking deeper understanding), with sacramental preparation for adults.
• Buddy Ministry Special needs accommodation program helping children and students with behavioral, emotional, cognitive, and physical needs fully participate in church programs through individualized plans and buddy support.
• Next Gen Programs Comprehensive children's and student ministry including All Stars (ages 6 weeks-6 years), Time Travelers (Grades 1-4), Quest (small groups Grades 1-4), Resurrection (Grades 5-8), and Uprising (Grades 9-12), serving over 1,000 children and students on typical weekends.
• Stewardship and Giving Faith commitment and tithing program encouraging sacrificial giving based on biblical principles of Planned, Percentage, Priority, and Progressive giving, including stewardship messaging to parishioners.
• Rebuilt Parish A nonprofit parish renewal initiative partnering with Church of the Nativity to guide churches across the US and worldwide toward spiritual transformation and growth, based on the book 'Rebuilt', with Nativity serving as a model parish.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,000 children and students participate in Next Gen programs on typical weekends
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• Archdiocese of BaltimorecoreOthers · 1 September 2024Parent ecclesiastical authority for Church of the Nativity. The campaign was approved by two committees in the Archdiocese of Baltimore that rigorously review capital campaign proposals, with approval from the Archbishop in September 2024. The Director of Facilities and Real Estate provides guidance and oversight, though the Archdiocese does not provide financial assistance.
• Rebuilt ParishcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRebuilt Parish is a nonprofit organization inspired by the book 'Rebuilt' dedicated to guiding parishes across the US and worldwide toward renewal and transformation. Church of the Nativity serves as a model for this renewal, having partnered with Rebuilt Parish to create welcoming environments, form disciples (not just attendees), and reach those disconnected from the Church. The collaboration helps parishes gain clarity, energy, and purpose.
• Hord Coplan MachtcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBaltimore-based architectural firm engaged to develop the master plan for the Next Gen Wing expansion. Previously designed the Pavilion in 2004. Continuing partnership for the Wonder Campaign facilities project.
• Morris & Ritchie AssociatesmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCivil engineering firm engaged to guide the Wonder Campaign project through design development, approval, and building phases.
• OverflowsupportingTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner for processing non-cash gifts including stocks, bonds, and marketable securities donations quickly and securely.
• OnlineGiving.orgsupportingTechnology or IntegrationThird-party technology provider for processing online donations and recurring gifts. Used for online giving platform at churchnativity.onlinegiving.org.
• Church Online PlatformsupportingTechnology or IntegrationTechnology provider referenced in privacy policy for delivering online church experiences.
• Google MapssupportingTechnology or IntegrationGoogle Maps APIs used on the church website for location services and directions to the Ridgely Road campus.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Church of the Resurrection: Large United Methodist church in Leawood, KS widely cited as a model for parish/church renewal and growth. Highly comparable to Nativity in mission (renewal-focused large congregation), multi-platform digital strategy, and emphasis on small groups and Next Generation ministries.
• Mountain Lake Church: Cumming, GA church co-founded by Tom Corcoran and featured in the book 'Rebuilt' — the direct origin point of the Rebuilt Parish methodology that Nativity partners with. Most directly comparable peer given shared methodology, leadership lineage, and renewal branding.
• St. Luke's United Methodist Church: Orlando-based large United Methodist congregation known for modern worship, multi-site operations, and digital outreach. Comparable to Nativity in combining contemporary Catholic-style liturgical renewal (in a Protestant context) with family/youth ministry emphasis.
• McLean Bible Church: Vienna, VA non-denominational church serving the greater Washington DC/Baltimore region. Directly comparable geographic peer given proximity to Nativity's North Baltimore catchment, with similar emphasis on multi-site growth, family ministries, and digital engagement.

Broad incumbents

• Saddleback Church: Lake Forest, CA Purpose Driven church network. Comparable to Nativity in scaled small-group system, family and student ministry focus, and operating as a flagship renewal model that influences hundreds of other congregations.
• Bayside Church: Granite Bay, CA multi-site church with strong Next Generation and family ministry emphasis plus robust online streaming. Comparable to Nativity in combining large in-person weekend services with extensive digital platforms and children's programming.
• Elevation Church: Steven Furtick-led multi-site church based in Charlotte, NC. Comparable to Nativity in heavy investment in mobile/TV apps, streaming distribution, and a digital-first engagement model that extends reach well beyond the physical campus.
• Northland, A Church Distributed: Longwood, FL megachurch pioneering online/digital church distribution. Comparable to Nativity's Online Campus strategy and TV app presence as a means of extending congregational reach well beyond a single physical location.
• North Point Community Church: Andy Stanley-led multi-campus church network in Alpharetta, GA. Comparable in emphasis on digital distribution (North Point Ministries apps/streaming), seeker-sensitive weekend services, and small-group-driven community formation at large scale.
• Willow Creek Community Church: South Barrington, IL megachurch and pioneer of the seeker-sensitive model. Comparable to Nativity in driving congregational growth through contemporary programming, comprehensive family/Next Gen ministries, and national influence on church-renewal practice.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/churchnativity
• YouTubeyoutube.com/churchnativity
• Facebookfacebook.com/churchnativity
• Instagraminstagram.com/churchnativity
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/church-nativity

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Church of the Nativity