The Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church stands as a testament to faith, community, and perseverance. With a history spanning nearly two centuries, Ebenezer AME has played a vital role in the lives of its members and the broader community. This article delves into the rich history of two prominent Ebenezer AME Churches, one in Rahway, New Jersey, and the other in Evanston, Illinois, highlighting their origins, challenges, and lasting impact.
Ebenezer AME Church of Rahway, NJ
According to conference records, Ebenezer AME Church in Rahway, New Jersey, had its beginnings in 1826, having been incorporated on December 25, 1826. The church was named African Methodist Episcopal Ebenezer Church of Rahway, and it was the first church organized by persons of color in the City of Rahway, NJ, and the first AME Church in Union County, NJ. Having been established only 10 years after the AME Church was established, Ebenezer has the distinction of being among the first AME churches organized in the world.
From its origin in 1826 until 1829, members held their services in various homes. In 1829, thirty or more families of “free persons of color” procured a site on the banks of the Robinson Branch of the Rahway River, on Central Avenue, and erected a building for public worship. Signers of the deed were Samuel Edgar, Anthony Jamison, and Jacob Moore, who signed their names with an “X” on the signature lines because they were unable to print their names.
No record of pastoral appointments and records during the first 10 years can be found, but conference records indicate that Ebenezer was a part of the Trenton Circuit (Morristown, Rahway, Trenton, Pennington, Freehold, Manalapan, and New Brunswick) for several years and supplied by circuit riders.
The New York Annual Conference minutes of June 15, 1839, reported trouble at Ebenezer, stating “There was some trouble at Rahway, N. J., factions having arisen, and the church there had been taken possession of by one body under the name and title of African Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1872, the AME Church saw rapid growth in the state of New Jersey and Ebenezer along with other New Jersey AME Church was annexed from the New York Annual Conference and put into the newly formed New Jersey Annual Conference.
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By 1882, Ebenezer showed signs of progress, and according to the 1882 Clyclopedia of African Methodism by Alexander W. Wayman, it was reported that “she [Ebenezer] has come along through deep waters. Several attempts were made to take her out of the connection. She was finally sold and another lot was bought, and a new church built, which is now doing well.
In 1887, Reverend Joseph W. Ross began building a church. Soon after, Reverend Jordan C.H. Christmas, who served the congregation from 1896 - 1898, purchased the property at 251 Central Ave for use as a parsonage. The church building started under Rev. Ross, was finished under Rev. Under the leadership of Reverend Alexander W. Pierce (1903-1904), the mortgage on the church started under Rev. J. W. Ross was paid in full. In 1913, under the pastorate of Reverend J. Francis Vanderhorst the mortgage on the parsonage was burned. When Rev. Vanderhorst returned to Ebenezer during his second pastoral appointment (1917-1920) a vestibule was added to the church building. In 1921, Reverend John W .P. Collier, Sr., was appointed as Pastor and in 1922 Thomas King, Jerry Pitts, John Gibson, August Gibson, William Hammond, Samuel Edgar and Roy Osborne were made Trustees, while Christopher Aaron and James Parker were made honorary Trustees. Under Reverend Collier’s leadership an extension was added to the rear of the Church in 1923. Later that same year a Pipe Organ was installed which was dedicated on October 20, 1923. In 1944 renovations continued under Rev. Collier and sanctuary lights were donated by Mr. Clifford Moorhead.
In 1947, after 26 years of service and having lost his sight to glaucoma, Reverend Collier retired. Following the retirement of Rev. Collier, Reverend Henry A. Hildebrand was appointed in 1947. In March of 1948, soon after his appointment, Ebenezer was extensively damaged by fire. Members accepted the kind offer from St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and worshipped in their parish hall until the church was ready for service again. The cornerstone for the rebuilt edifice was laid on the last Sunday in September of 1949.
In May of 1950 Rev. Hildebrand was moved and Reverend Wright and Reverend Frazier supplied the pulpit until Reverend Ruffin N. Revered Lonnie P Herring was appointed pastor in October, 1951 and served until 1956 when Reverend Adultus. E. Jordan was appointed. Reverend Jesse E Owens assumed the pastorate in 1958. Under his leadership stained glass windows were placed in the church. Rev. Owens served until December of 1970 when Reverend Charles E. Martin was transferred from the Bermuda Conference to Ebenezer. Realizing that the Central Avenue parsonage was no longer adequate, under Reverend Martin, the church purchased a home on Lawrence Street in Rahway to serve as the new parsonage and the old parsonage on Central Avenue was razed in March 1974. Reverend Rudolph P Gibbs, Sr., was appointed pastor of Ebenezer on September 14, 1975. Under his leadership in March of 1976 a new ceiling was installed and new lights were placed in the sanctuary. Additionally, the mortgage on the parsonage was burned. In 1994, the members of Ebenezer worshiped at the Rahway Sr. Citizens Building on Esterbrook Avenue before moving their worship services to the J.F. K. was accepted by the Church Conference and construction on the new edifice begun. The congregation was blessed to be able to use the Community Center for the duration of the building process. In 2007 after 32 years of service, Rev. Gibbs retired from the pastorate and The Reverend Dr. Louis P. Attles was appointed Pastor. On June 17, 2011. Rev. Attles served the congregation until June of 2011 when The Right Reverend Richard Franklin Norris, appointed Reverend Dr. Erika D. Crawford, Pastor of Ebenezer. After 185 years of rich history, Rev. Crawford, became the first woman to serve in the Pastoral position at Ebenezer. Under Rev. Crawford’s leadership Ebenezer purchased 259 Central Ave for parking lot expansion, purchased 261 Central known as the former Rahway School for Colored Children, adopted and funded the building of Ebenezer AME Church in Lirangwe, Malawi, Africa (20th District) and prematurely liquidated the $1.3 million mortgage on the church. In February 2018, Bishop Gregory G.M. Ingram appointed our new Pastor, Rev.
Sons and Daughters of Ebenezer AME Church that went on to Pastor and serve in leadership positions in The African Methodist Episcopal Church include: Rev. Dr. John W.P. Collier, Jr., (former director of AME Missions), Rev. Dr. Calvin Sydnor (Editor of the Christian Recorder), Col. Naval Chaplain) and Rev. Dr. Danielle L.
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Ebenezer AME Church of Evanston, IL
The history of Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal Church, Evanston’s first black church is one of community, persistence and activism. Prior to its founding in 1882, black residents attended the predominantly white First Baptist Church. Those who left the congregation formed their own Bible study group, which consisted of both Methodists and Baptists and met in various homes and meeting halls across Evanston.
With recent support from Ald. “The impetus of PITCH was preserving integrity to culture and history and nothing in there was about architecture,” Robinson said. Ebenezer AME’s status as the first black church in Evanston is not its only trailblazing quality.
“The black church was always the center of activism throughout history,” Robinson said. “As a community gathering place, you had real leadership there. Ebenezer AME members J.S. Woods and William H. Twiggs started a digest called The Afro-American Budget in 1889. He was not the only activist within the church community. A 1911 Chicago Defender article entitled “Forces are Fighting Jim Crowism” describes how AME’s the Rev. H. S.
Despite devastating fires in 1907 and 1980, the Ebenezer AME congregation was able to maintain extensive archives of their storied history. And at nearly 138 years old, Ebenezer AME Church, which has since relocated to 1109 Emerson St., remains a symbol of this cultural vibrance.
Why Did Black Churches Play a Role in the Black Civil Rights Movement? | Black History Files News
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Here is a summary table of some key milestones in the history of Ebenezer AME Churches:
| Church | Key Milestone | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Rahway, NJ | Church Incorporated | 1826 |
| Rahway, NJ | Ebenezer AME Church in Lirangwe, Malawi, Africa building funded | 2007-2011 |
| Evanston, IL | Church Founded | 1882 |
| Evanston, IL | The Afro-American Budget started by church members | 1889 |
Ebenezer AME Church Marker. Photographed by Bill Pfingsten, November 10, 2011
