"A Little Church in the Valley on the Hill"

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Stevenson AME Church photo

Stevenson AME Church
Sparks, Maryland

 





                A brief history of Stevenson A.M.E. Church of Sparks, Maryland which was formerly known as Stephenson Chapel of Philopolis in Baltimore County Maryland. The origin of the Stephenson Chapel began before the year 1866, according to information from legal documents recorded in the Baltimore County Land and Deeds Office.  Working in unity as a body before their emancipation they united their efforts to have a burying ground for the interment of their dead.

                Mr. Azahel Stephenson, Thomas Sterrett, Wesley Wallace, Anthony Tittle and Nathan Burgess purchased from Joseph Worthington a lot of ground to be described as a cemetery for the burial of deceased persons of color.  The purchase price was $25.00 on May 1, 1855.  After signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, a meeting house for the purpose of meeting as often as they may think proper in order to worship Almighty God in spirit and truth was needed.

                In 1866, three years after the Emancipation Proclamation, Mr. Azahel Stephenson, Washington Gray, Anthony Tittle, William Burgess and Abraham Sweeper, Trustees in Trust for the use and purpose and their successor in office forever in trust that they shall erect or cause to be built thereon a house or place of worship to and for the use of the members of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States of America according to the rule and discipline of said church.

                The purchase price was for the amount of $95.00 paid to Mr. Josiah Price and his wife Rachel of Baltimore County.  Knowing the need for education by the founding father of the A.M.E. Church from Bishop Richard Allen and others who followed, a school was needed to provide an education.

                On November 21, 1867, Joshiah Price and Rachel Price, his wife, in consideration for the sum of ten dollars, granted unto Sadrach Daughton, Esaach Powell, Normen B. Sterrett, John L. Beane, Benjamin Lee in trust for the purpose of erecting or allowing to be erected thereon a school house for the use and benefit of education of the coloured people of the eighth election district of Baltimore County.

                A schoolhouse was built which served also as a community center.  One of the oldest recorded usages other than the church and school was as a lodge hall.  The Supreme Commandery of Universal Brotherhood, which was chartered on the 18th of March, 1889, and the Household of Ruth of Grand United Order of Odd Fellows in America dated the 16th day of November, 1894, met in the upper level of the school.  The building is used presently as the church dining hall.

                All of the aforesaid events took place at the time Sparks was known as Philopolis.  The Milton Academy which taught classic Greek, was a school attended by John Wilkes Booth in Philopolis.  On May 7, 1964, Mr. Harry A. Dundore and Marian L. Dundore, his wife, gave to Stephenson African Methodist Church, one acre of land for a cemetery.  All the land given or granted or purchased where joint lots.

                In 1892, the building of the church house started under the pastorage of Rev. John H. Keets.  The present church house rests upon the foundation laid in 1892 with an addition.  In 1974, under the pastorage of Rev. Emma J. Swann, the addition was added.  Upon completion of the addition in 1974, Mr. Leonard C. Crew, friend of Mrs. Mary White, gave to Stephenson Chapel the present communion table and pulpit furniture.

                During the term of Rev. Aquilla Greene, the old schoolhouse was renovated and a commercial kitchen installed.  Since 1984, under the pastorage of Rev. John E. Brown, Jr. an asphalt entrance driveway was installed; the kitchen received a stucco finish to the exterior and Stevenson received its first organ for the church.

                During the term of Rev. Vivian B. Castain, a state of the art ramp for the handicapped was built,  the windows in the fellowship hall were replaced, a new piano was purchased, set up a sacristy and installed hot water in the church; the sanctuary was also repainted during her tenure.  The Sunday School and Lay Organization were re-organized during this period.

                During the 13-year term of Rev. James A. Pullum, Sr., the fellowship hall ceiling, flooring and roof were renovated, to include the chimney.  The church’s chimney was restored, and the bell tower enclosed with exterior siding, also the gutters, oil tank and air conditioning system were replaced.  During Rev. Pullum’s term he was a hands-on pastor and worked hard to ensure the church was properly maintained. 

                During the 7 years term of Rev. Michael H. Thompson (2010-2018) We have upgraded the lighting and electrical system in the church.  The pulpit dressings were replaced, the communion serving set and the altar coverings were replaced by donation from the Madden family.  The entire church interior was painted to include replacing the side entrance door.  After hurricane Sandy flooded the lower level of the church (Offices) Rev. Thompson worked with the Trustee Board to have both offices remodeled and refurnished.  In late 2014 the sound system was updated to the newest technology with donations from the congregation. Rev. Michael H. Thompson closed his pastorate to Stevenson with signing of the contract for replacing the roof on our dining hall and having our 1st Prayer Breakfast at the Elks Lodge in Towson, Maryland.

                God has continuously touched the hearts of all who contributed to His church.  Each servant has played his role in God’s service.  The following have served as pastors:  Rev. J.R. Henry, Rev. John H. Keets, Rev. C.B. Bailey, Rev. W.H. Trusty, Rev. Fredrick Jones, Rev. J.J. Baker, Rev.Johns, Rev. Dunlop, Rev. W.N. Edwards, Rev. Robert Lane, Rev. David Mitchell, Rev. Emma L. Swann, Rev. J. Aquilla Greene, Rev. John E. Brown, Jr., Rev. Juanita G. Wingo, Rev. Vivian B. Castain, Rev. James A. Pullum, Sr., Rev. Michael Thompson, Rev. Wilistine Dargan, and currently, Rev. Roslyn Riley, who was appointed in August 2020.

                Stevenson African Methodist Episcopal Church is a lifetime member of the NAACP.

Stevenson A.M.E. Church

1866 – 2020

Asel Stevenson MemorialAsel Stevenson Headstone

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