African Americans History

The history of African American schools in Allegany County has not been fully researched and documented. Primary reasons for this gap in the historical record are ones created by past practices, policies, and customs that have limited the amount of information that is readily available. To overcome these challenges, researchers interested in the story of Allegany County’s African American experience must diligently research public and private resources.

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".

Romaine Franklin, 1917 - 2016

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was founded 1909. This Cumberland News photograph from the late 1950s or early 1960s, depicts an early meeting of the local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Depicted here are, from left to right, Harold Banks, Romaine Franklin, James Hurt, and John Gordon.

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:

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.