Tribute to Robert H. "Bob" Hill
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Sharp Street United Methodist Church

Tribute to Robert H. "Bob" Hill, also, Sharp Street United Methodist Church. Sandy Spring African American Heritage Trail. , Tribute to Robert H. "Bob" Hill: Entrepreneur, Master Builder, and Community Leader , Robert H. Hill was born on a farm in Sandy Spring in 1904. His parent, Samuel T. and Mary Hill, were prosperous and raised not only 16 children, but hogs, cattle, corn, wheat, hay, and all manner of vegetables which were regularly driven to the District of Columbia markets. Farming was not Bob Hill's first choice., Bob Hill says he always knew about building things. His carpentry skills were honed at Sharp Street Colored Schools by teaching principal A.D. Owens, one of the school's four teachers. He learned his home building skills by working with older Sandy Spring carpenters on construction jobs., Hill spent the next fifty years building more than 250 homes, churches, a brick funeral home, and other structures. He became known locally as a "custom" or "master" builder, forming Sandy Spring Construction Co. in the 1940's. Over the years, Hill developed a constituency, building for young families, wealthy socialites, and national figures such as Ralph Bunche, all over Maryland and in Washington. Sandy Spring Construction Co. prospered through the years. Hill's reputation as a good but affordable builder grew. He employed some of his brothers and other family members in the business, and sometimes financed mortgages for his clients, including black families who otherwise would not have been afforded the opportunity of home ownership., Robert "Bob" Hill was a prominent businessman and active community leader, often referring to himself as the "Mayor" of Sandy Spring. He participated in activities and played in the Odd Fellows musical bands. His passion was baseball. He supported the activities of the Sandy Spring All Stars baseball team, and Negro League quality baseball players who played in Olney, in a field in his name., The Sharp Street United Methodist Church: Heart and Soul of the Sandy Spring African American Heritage Area , The Sharp Street United Methodist Church ,

"Founded in 1822, Sharp Street United Methodist Church is the oldest African-American church in Montgomery County, Maryland. Sharp Street Church has served as a beacon of hope and freedom in the village of Sandy Spring for nearly two centuries. Since its founding, the church has maintained a vital presence in the community and has evolved into a vibrant place of worship and educational, social and cultural institution serving African Americans in Montgomery County ans surrounding counties."

, The church started as a log cabin built by the Quakers around 1822 /26 on a one acre tract of land was referred to as An Independent Methodist Church for the Colored People of Sandy Spring served as a place of worship for about fifty free descendants of slaves. Quaker James P. Stabler deeded the land to blacks for 10 cents in 1822 This made it possible for freed slaves to assemble for worship or education in their own sanctuary. Because Maryland Law prohibited any assembly of any blacks without white supervision, a band designed to discourage abolitionist activities. William Thomas and Basil Brooke served as trustees responsible for monitoring any assemblies. In 1886, the land was transferred from Richard Bentley and the Quaker trustees to Remus Q. Hill, S.E. Powell and Levi Hall, trustees of the church. In 1887, a frame structure building was constructed on the site of the old log cabin. The Sharp Street in Sandy Spring thus became the First independent black church organized in Montgomery County, according to the Montgomery County Historical Society (Connie Green July 23, 1891 Sandy Spring Church, Home of Proud Heritage). In 1920, the church burned down and the present brick structure was erected in 1923 and renamed the Sharp Street Methodist Church. The church was named after the Baltimore church of the same name a symbol of freedom to the members of the original Sandy Spring congregation. The congregation worshipped in the neighboring Odd Fellows Lodge between 1920 and 1923, while funds were being raised to rebuild the church building. Leslie Gaines was the church historian at this time., Sharp Street Church experienced rapid growth and expansion at the beginning of the turn of the century. On October 5, 1922, 21 members and Trustees gathered to incorporate the church. The body elected as Trustees: Singleton H. Billows, William A. Campbell, John E. Waters, Samuel E. Powell, Marshall Claggett, Roland Cook and Samuel T. Hill. The Church was called Sharp Street Methodist Episcopal Church and remained as such until 1968. The United Methodist Church was formed in 1968 with the merger of The Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church. Sharp Street Methodist Episcopal Church changed its name to Sharp Street United Methodist Church.