About Us   

We're a new church seeking to present the hope of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the people of Southern Calvert County, Maryland. We believe that each of us, regardless of our past failures or present struggles, can know the forgiveness of God and discover a life of purpose. And that purpose is found and experienced in living life together with the One Who created us…Jesus. This engagement with Jesus becomes a life-shaping thing, providing hope for the present and the future, as well as giving a solid basis for understanding what it means to be human. It enables us to live the life we were designed for. At Grace Church, we pursue this life together, while inviting others to join us on the journey.

Pastor Jay McKinley

Jay was born and raised in the Chicago area, but after meeting and marrying his east-coast bride, Bari-tennette, he has spent the better part of three decades in Maryland. An ordained minister in the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches, Jay has pastored in Indiana, Ohio, and Prince George's and Calvert Counties in Maryland.

He is the father of three grown children and grandfather to five.

   We Value   

Grace Church at West Shore is a group of people that desires to be...

...a people that provides a safe place to seek, because all of us need to be allowed the grace to work out our own struggles with faith while being encouraged to trust and follow Jesus.

...a people that seriously engages the Bible, writings given by God to teach us about Himself, about ourselves, and about living life together with Him in this world.

...a people that practices Biblical community, helping each other to follow Jesus, rather than trying to do it all alone.

...a people that blesses our surrounding community, because God cares very much about it and wants good things for it.

...a people that shares Christ and grows new believers, because the message of forgiveness and life with Jesus is a message of good news for ALL people.

...a people that highly values Missions, because the good news of Jesus is good news for ALL people, not just the ones who are geographically or culturally near to us.

    News & Events   

Community Groups

These are groups that meet during the week in the homes of people from our church. The purpose of each Community Group is to develop a primary community where we can get to know Jesus. In these groups, we read and discuss the Bible, pray and help each other to follow Christ. For questions, email or call (410) 474-6665.

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Heartfelt Backpack Ministry 

GCWS is helping needy St LES students and their families each weekend with backpacks filled with food items.  A full list of items and more info can be found at the information table. See Leila or Kristi Mitchell with questions about this project.

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MORE Ministry Opportunities Available!

In case you're wondering, there are lots of opportunities to help out here at GCWS. Areas of particular need:

  - Set-up and/or tear-down

 - Ushers & Greeters

 - Refreshment Table

 - Nursery

 - Children's Church

 - Sound

 - Powerpoint

Think it over and see where you might be able to help out. Talk to Pastor Jay to express an interest.

Hospitality Meals

One of the ways we practice Biblical community is by helping to bear each other's burdens in times of need. If you'd be willing to bring an occasional meal to someone who's laid up, there's a place to sign up at the Welcome Center on Sundays. Questions, or to get involved, email or call (410) 474-6665.

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   Location   

Head south on MD-2/MD-4/Solomons Island Rd. Turn left onto Calvert Beach Rd. At the traffic circle, take the first exit onto St. Leonard Rd. Destination will be on the left.

5370 St. Leonard Rd

St. Leonard, MD 20685

Worship Gathering: 11am-12pm

St. Leonard Elementary School

Head north on MD-4/Solomons Island Rd. Turn right onto St. Leonard Rd. Destination will be on the right.

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Church Office Location:

4821 St Leonard Rd, Suite 1A

St Leonard, MD  20685

From Northern Calvert County:

From Solomons:

   Message Audio   

For older sermons, please visit our Youtube page.

   Contact Us