Soul stirring strains of “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms” and “Blessed Assurance” rang out in the Pine Street area of Cambridge March 15 at the unveiling of a display designed to preserve the heritage of the African-American Church in Dorchester County, Maryland.

Less than a year earlier, the Pine Street Committee (PSC) felt it would be helpful to the entire county to create a display of black and white photographs highlighting buildings 50 years or older in Dorchester County that are used by African-American congregations. The display would be for historical, tourism, and community purposes.

The PSC was able to secure a $950 matching grant for the project from the Maryland Heritage Authority, the Heart of Chesapeake Country Heritage Area.

The PSC then contacted community members historian Armond Hayward II and photographer David Harp who agreed to donate their time to the project. As the effort neared completion, Mark and Dawn Hubbard of Hubbard’s Custom Blinds and Framing Gallery also donated their labor for framing of the photographs.

Every effort was made by the PSC to notify African-American congregations of the project, and a total of 20 responded.

While Mr. Hayward conducted research on the churches, Mr. Harp photographed the buildings and created black and white prints. The final result was unveiled by the PSC in the Empowerment Center at 615-B Pine Street.

Churches Participate

Cambridge area churches participating in the project were John Wesley UMC on Blackwater Road, Christ UMC on Aireys Road, Bazel UMC on Bucktown Road, Greater Mount Olive Full Gospel Baptist Church at 601 Douglass Street, New Jerusalem Church in Christ Jesus at 815 Center Street, Waugh Chapel Episcopal Methodist on High Street, Union Chapel AME on Cordtown Road, The Anointed One Ministries on Muir Street, St. Luke’s UMC at 712 Bradley Avenue, Zion Baptist Church on Cross Street, and Bethel AME on Pine Street.

Others were St. Peter’s in Meekin’s Neck, Waters UMC on Fork Neck Road in Vienna, Mount Pleasant UMC on US 50 in Salem, Wesleyan UMC in Vienna, Zoar UMC in Rhodesdale, the Full Gospel Church of God in Christ in Hurlock, the New Revived Methodist Church in Smithville and Vaughn Chapel in Church Creek.

Citizens Appreciate the Display

“We need to know our heritage and where we began at. I think it’s wonderful,” said Joann Slacum of New Revived Methodist Church.

Shirley Greene, also of New Revived, said, “I think the photographs are lovely and would love to have a copy if possible.”

Both ladies had praised the work of photographer David Harp.

The Rev. Roslyn Watts, associate minister at Jubilee Christian Fellowship Church, grew up in the Smithville church that was formerly Jefferson UMC. Concerning Mr. Harp, she said, “I have known him through another situation and I have had the experience of seeing the professional top-notch work that he does.”

She said the display was a beautiful presentation. Referring to the Mr. Harp’s work on the display, she said, “Each of these churches have their own distinct personality and, seemingly, he just seems to have captured that. “

A Reason to Celebrate

The Rev. Sandra Moore-Brown opened the celebration of the unveiling by saying, “This is the day that the Lord has made and we will be glad and rejoice in it. We are going to celebrate the legacy and history of the African-American churches in Dorchester County.

“Many of us already know and are acquainted with what our African-American churches meant to us as a people and what it meant to us in the community, and how it continues to be an instrument of empowerment a place that we could come not only to experience the grace of God, but to experience the fellowship one with another,” she said.

She later referred to Octavene Saunders of the PSC and the director of the project as a visionary.

Historical Overview Given

The Rev. Keith Cornish, in giving the historical overview of the project said, “We know that the church is a building, but ideally the Church is really the people. What we have been able to do not only captures the buildings as they exist now, but also the idea that there are at least four or five generations of perpetual continual Church activity in these buildings.”

He said that many changes had occurred throughout the decades. “Despite all of that, these churches that are displayed on these walls are an example of those churches that have the tenacity, that have the fortitude and strength.”

He continued, “When they built those churches, they did not build them just to last for their lifetime, but they built them for their children and their children’s children.

“Today, we are celebrating the fact that these churches, that have gone through trials and tribulations, in spite of it all, are still here, still in existence, still doing God’s work. And that’s to God’s praise,” he said.

He added, “I just want to encourage each of you to give a legacy to your grandchildren.” The Rev. Cornish said that instead of investing in one’s self or business, people today should follow in the footsteps of their forerunners who invested in their grandchildren and great-grandchildren through these churches.

The Rev. Cornish said, “So today we do not only lay a foundation, but we also set in motion something that will keep churches active not only in the community, but also as a part of the economics and a part of the culture, and still remain a vital an important part of our community.

“I want to encourage each one of you as you leave here today to not only look at what these churches represent, but also at the fact that you have an obligation. You have laid down a legacy for the next generation as well. Keep churches like these in existence,” he said.

People of Cambridge can Work Together

“This is something that is beautiful,” said Mrs.Saunders. She said that it showed Cambridge could work together. “It just takes the right temperament, the right attitude, and the right person,” she said.

She added that a booklet with historical information would be created highlighting the display.

Richness of the African-American Church

In general regarding the history of the African-American Church, Mr. Hayward writes that it “is an expression of the values of the Black culture: of justice, freedom, African heritage and racial equality. The Black Church was one of first institutions created cooperatively by the African American.

The Black Church has given birth to schools, insurance companies, libraries, banks, housing, political activity, nurturing young people in music, drama, art, and oratory.

“During slavery, the Church was called the “invisible institution” because secret church services were held in brush arbors and other places away from White control.”

He added the Black Church was the one stable institution to emerge out of slavery and can be compared in originality and importance to American jazz. Today, the Black Church continues to be the most important institution in African-American culture.

Concerning the display, he said, “This exhibit is an expression of the contribution of the Black Church in Dorchester County to American Civilization.”

Additional pictures will be displayed at Empowerment Center.