Workshop Highlights South County Church History

The long history of churches in south county will be examined and discussed in two special presentations in Edgewater in honor of Black History Month.

Genealogists and historians and Rochelle Harrison will discuss a wide range of topics from the development of black churches as an institution to genealogical tracing.

“It’s important to learn because we get to know about our history in southern Anne Arundel County, the origins of the church and where it first came from,” Thompson said.

The historians will discuss burial places throughout the area and share new insight allowing families to track the exact resting place of their ancestors.

They also plan to discuss the history of white churches and how they tied into the history of the black churches in a post-slavery era.

The two workshops take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Feb. 11 and 3 p.m. on Feb. 12. The first will look at church history, family lineage and burial sites, while the second workshop will focus on a broader scope. It will concentrate on “two churches and two congregations worshiping together,” Thompson said. “They’ll see some history for sure.”

The workshops will be held at Hope Memorial—St. Mark United Methodist Church at 3672 Muddy Creek Rd. in Edgewater, a unique spot with specific ties to one of the featured churches discussed in the seminars.

The churches stand close to where Hope Chapel stood, the first “official” black church in Edgewater, after it was purchased and established in 1867. Previously, African-Americans were forced to worship secretly in slave houses to hide from their owners and keep hidden the fact they knew how to read, Thompson said.

“It’s important to remember our ancestors who fought to have a decent place to work for the African-American community,” she said.