Churches

"Walk in the Spirit, Live in Peace"

The Dickerson African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) congregation of Frostburg was established in 1845. The original church was located on Ormand Street and known as Hall's Chapel. In 1881 the present Dickerson A.M.E. Church was constructed at the corner of West Mechanic and Pine Streets. From 1924 and throughout the 1930s, circuit-riding ministers served A.M.E. churches in Frostburg, Westernport, and Oakland, Maryland, sometimes traveling to all three congregations in a single day.

This photograph depicts the original John Wesley Church which once stood at what was then the corner of Oak and Maple Streets in Frostburg. Oak ran parallel to Park Avenue, which was then known as Lonaconing Street. The church was part of what was known as the Brownsville community, and the photograph was taken prior to the state's acquisition of properties for the expansion of what is now Frostburg State University. Lowndes Hall now stands on this site. The history of Brownsville is described in detail elsewhere on this website.

As part of its 170th Anniversary Celebration, the Metropolitan Cumberland A.M.E. Church held an Open House including an historical display during September 19-21, 2007.

CUMBERLAND —
The Metropolitan AME Church, 309 Frederick St., is celebrating its 170th anniversary. In celebration of this historical occasion, the congregation has planned several activities, which will culminate Sunday with a worship service and a banquet.

Today, Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., the church will host an open house and will showcase news items, pictures of events and a continuously playing DVD to commemorate the history and current activities of Metropolitan AME Church.

Cumberland A.M.E. Church

Originally known as Bethel A.M.E., Cumberland's Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church was organized in 1847.

In that same year Lot #15 in Magruder's Addition to Cumberland was sold to the trustees of the African Methodist Episcopal Church by a Burgis Magruder. In 1863, after Magruder's death, his administrator confirmed the sale to the trustees, described as "free men of color". The deed mentions a "church and lot".

This 1892 photograph depicts an arrest being made at the cornerstone laying ceremony of the Cumberland Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church, originally known as the Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church. While the man being arrested is white, it appears that the two police officers escorting him away are also white.

This photograph depicts the September 10, 1892 cornerstone laying ceremony upon the completion of the second floor of the Cumberland A.M.E. Church, corner of Frederick and Decatur Streets.

The following narrative was produced as part of a history project partnership among the National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places, the Department of Community Development of the City of Cumberland, Maryland, and the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers:

Sarah W. Bromery, 1880 - 1980

The Metropolitan A.M.E. Church was first organized and a board of trustees elected in 1837. Sarah W. Bromery, a prominent leader in the African-American community, served in 1937 as Chairwoman of the 100th Anniversary Celebration of the Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church in Cumberland.

The 1873 Cumberland City Directory lists two African-American churches at the end of its church listing. They are identified as follows:

McKENDREE CHAPEL (colored) - North Centre street. Rev. Wm. A. Waters, Pastor. Sunday Services: Preaching at half-past 10 a.m., and half-past 7 p.m. Sabbath School at 2 p.m. Prayer Meeting, Thursday night.

BETHEL CHURCH (colored) Frederick Street extended. Rev. C. Sampson, Pastor. Sunday Services: Preaching, Morning, Afternoon and Evening. Sabbath School, 2 P.M.