EBENEZER AFRICAN METHODIST
EPISCOPAL CHURCH

HISTORY

The records of Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal Church state that the first congregation met for the purpose of singing and praying in the South Baltimore area in 1836. The property on which the church now stands was purchased in 1839.

In 1846, Ebenezer was organized as a Church by Rev. Daniel Payne and incorporated in 1848. Rev William Jones was the first pastor. A brick structure was built and dedicated on September 18, 1848. The services were conducted by Rev. Payne and other clergy.

Seven of Ebenezer's pastors were consecrated as Bishops of  the AME Church. They were Daniel
Payne, A. W. Wayman, Joseph A. Shorter, John M. Brown, James Campbell, James A. Handy, and Isaac N. Ross.

Ebenezer played an important role in providing education for Black children in Baltimore. As early as 1839 Ebenezer operated a day school for black children. In 1865 the church membership was 777
with the Sunday School membership of 389.

On July 5, 1865, the foundation was laid for a new and larger church and parsonage to accomodate the
growing congregation. The cornerstone was laid August 20, 1865 with great celebration.

On Palm Sunday, April 5, 1868, services were conducted by Bishop A. W. Wayman to celebrate and dedicate the new church building.

By 1917, Ebenezer's membership numbered 959, with the Sunday School enrollment of 510.

In 1936, Ebenezer celebrated its centenial with a Homecoming Celebration which brought members of
the congregation who had moved out of the area back to South Baltimore for a reunion.

The City Commission for Historic and Architectural Preservation lists Ebenezer AME Church as the oldest standing church in the city erected by a Black congregation and continuously occupied by the same congregation. Ebenezer A. M. E. Church entered into the National register of Historic Places in 1971.

Ebenezer is of English Gothic design. The stained glass windows aregeometric Victorian patterns. The
pews and ceiling beams are of Georgia pine. The beautiful marble pulpit was donated in 1916.

As we look back over the years, we can see defeat and victory, joy, and sorrow, sickness and death, yet God brought us through.