Our Church History
Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal Church – A HistoryBaltimore, Maryland “Upon This Rock, I Built My Church” – Matthew 16:18
The Historic Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal Church is the third oldest AME congregation in the United States, with Mother Bethel AME Church, in Philadelphia, and Bethel AME, in Baltimore, respectively, having been founded before it in 1816.
In 1836, a group of worshippers met in a blacksmith/paint shop, located at 20 West Montgomery Street, in Baltimore, for the purpose of singing and praying. Three (3) years later, i.e. in 1839, four freed black congregants purchased the property; the Deed was titled in the name of the “Members of Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal Church and their heirs.” As such, it is Baltimore’s oldest standing black church, erected by a black congregation, continuously and uninterruptedly standing on the exact same site – to this day - and attended by descendants of its original founders.
In 1846, the AME Conference officially organized Ebenezer as a Mission Church. The Church was formally incorporated in 1848, the original frame building was demolished, and a new brick structure was erected. By 1865, with the congregation having increased to approximately 777, the Church began construction of a larger church and parsonage. On Aug 20, 1865, the cornerstone was laid. The occasion was celebrated with great fanfare and was attended by an estimated 3,000-5,000 worshippers. On Palm Sunday, Apr 05, 1868, the new Church building opened and was dedicated – again with much celebration and fanfare.
The Church red-brick exterior is constructed in the English Gothic-Revival style; it has three large windows encased in Gothic Arches and a louvered belfry within which is housed a magnificent bronze bell. The bell first rang on Oct 15, 1886 and on every Sunday, thereafter, as a call to worship and at funerals as a tribute to the deceased. After World War II, the bell fell silent for forty years until repairs were made in 1984, when the bells began to ring – once more. The sanctuary, located on the upper level, is distinguished by its massive, exposed ceiling beams and trusses, balconies, and pews all of which are made of pure Georgian pine. The sanctuary is adorned with an exquisite marble pulpit and baptism bowl, and a German-made pipe organ
In the late 1960s, government officials threatened moving and/or demolishing the Church, because it stood directly in the path of the then-proposed I-395 East-West Expressway. However, the faithful fought for the Church’s survival. As a result of their efforts, the expressway was rerouted, the Church was saved, they had prevailed! “No weapon formed against thee shall prosper, this is the heritage of the servants of the Lord”. Isaiah 54:17
Throughout its history, Ebenezer has played an active and significant role in fostering the spiritual, educational, and civic growth and development of its congregants and of the black community of South Baltimore. As early as 1839, Ebenezer operated a day school and library for black children, held adult education classes, hosted lectures, forums, rallies, and fought tirelessly for the causes of abolition, emancipation, suffrage, race relations, and civil rights and liberties.
Today, it continues in that vein as it develops and serves as venue for a plethora of community support and social action activities and initiatives. It remains true to its AME birthright!
The Historic Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal Church is the third oldest AME congregation in the United States, with Mother Bethel AME Church, in Philadelphia, and Bethel AME, in Baltimore, respectively, having been founded before it in 1816.
In 1836, a group of worshippers met in a blacksmith/paint shop, located at 20 West Montgomery Street, in Baltimore, for the purpose of singing and praying. Three (3) years later, i.e. in 1839, four freed black congregants purchased the property; the Deed was titled in the name of the “Members of Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal Church and their heirs.” As such, it is Baltimore’s oldest standing black church, erected by a black congregation, continuously and uninterruptedly standing on the exact same site – to this day - and attended by descendants of its original founders.
In 1846, the AME Conference officially organized Ebenezer as a Mission Church. The Church was formally incorporated in 1848, the original frame building was demolished, and a new brick structure was erected. By 1865, with the congregation having increased to approximately 777, the Church began construction of a larger church and parsonage. On Aug 20, 1865, the cornerstone was laid. The occasion was celebrated with great fanfare and was attended by an estimated 3,000-5,000 worshippers. On Palm Sunday, Apr 05, 1868, the new Church building opened and was dedicated – again with much celebration and fanfare.
The Church red-brick exterior is constructed in the English Gothic-Revival style; it has three large windows encased in Gothic Arches and a louvered belfry within which is housed a magnificent bronze bell. The bell first rang on Oct 15, 1886 and on every Sunday, thereafter, as a call to worship and at funerals as a tribute to the deceased. After World War II, the bell fell silent for forty years until repairs were made in 1984, when the bells began to ring – once more. The sanctuary, located on the upper level, is distinguished by its massive, exposed ceiling beams and trusses, balconies, and pews all of which are made of pure Georgian pine. The sanctuary is adorned with an exquisite marble pulpit and baptism bowl, and a German-made pipe organ
In the late 1960s, government officials threatened moving and/or demolishing the Church, because it stood directly in the path of the then-proposed I-395 East-West Expressway. However, the faithful fought for the Church’s survival. As a result of their efforts, the expressway was rerouted, the Church was saved, they had prevailed! “No weapon formed against thee shall prosper, this is the heritage of the servants of the Lord”. Isaiah 54:17
Throughout its history, Ebenezer has played an active and significant role in fostering the spiritual, educational, and civic growth and development of its congregants and of the black community of South Baltimore. As early as 1839, Ebenezer operated a day school and library for black children, held adult education classes, hosted lectures, forums, rallies, and fought tirelessly for the causes of abolition, emancipation, suffrage, race relations, and civil rights and liberties.
Today, it continues in that vein as it develops and serves as venue for a plethora of community support and social action activities and initiatives. It remains true to its AME birthright!