Cambridge in Dorchester County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Bethel Church
In the 1780s, African American Methodists in Philadelphia and Baltimore walked out of white-controlled Methodist churches to protest discriminatory treatment. In 1816, these independent black Methodists from Philadelphia, Baltimore and elsewhere formally organized themselves as the "African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church."
In Cambridge, A.M.E. ministers encountered resistance when they tried to establish a 'Bethel Society' in 1830. But by 1874, Pine Street shoemaker, Simon Brown and other local trustees of the Cambridge "African Methodist Bethel Church" obtained a deed for this property at 623 Pine Street.
The original church apparently was a house that resident Stephen Camper moved here (for the Bethel Society). In 1877, that building burned and within two years a new church was constructed. Today the building looks as it did in 1903 when the new entrance facade with asymmetrical towers was added. In the 1960s, this church was an important meeting place for activists involved in the civil rights struggle.
Erected by Cambridge, Maryland; Department of Housing and Community Developoment.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Churches & Religion
this page online
Location. 38° 33.937′ N, 76° 4.836′ W. Marker is in Cambridge, Maryland, in Dorchester County. Marker is at the intersection of Pine Street and Bethel Street, on the left when traveling north on Pine Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 623 Pine Street, Cambridge MD 21613, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Empowering the People (within shouting distance of this marker); Up Pine Street: Muir to Cedar Street (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Jazz on Pine Street (about 300 feet away); The Carillonic Bells (approx. ¼ mile away); Thomas Holliday Hicks (approx. ¼ mile away); Preserving Our Architectural Heritage (approx. ¼ mile away); Tubman Connections (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Sparkling Blue Choptank (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cambridge.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 25, 2019. It was originally submitted on August 25, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 186 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 25, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
