Berlin in Worcester County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Rev. Dr. Charles Albert Tindley

The Godfather of Gospel Music

— African-American History in Berlin —

Rev. Dr. Charles Albert Tindley Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 11, 2025

1. Rev. Dr. Charles Albert Tindley Marker

Inscription.

Rev. Dr. Charles Albert Tindley. The Godfather of Gospel Music. , Always eager to learn , Born in 1851 to an enslaved father, Albert Tindley, and a free mother, Hester Miller Tindley, Charles Albert Tindley spent his childhood on a rural farm in Berlin., After marrying Daisy Henry, Tindley moved to Philadelphia, where he found employment as a brick carrier and a janitor at the church he attended., Despite his status as free, Tindley could not escape the hardships of being black in America. Under Maryland law, it was illegal for him to receive any education; however, the law had no effect on his eager mind., Tindley learned independently and by asking people to tutor him. He enlisted the help of a Philadelphia synagogue to learn Hebrew and learned Greek by taking a correspondence course through the Boston Theological School.A prolific writer , Tindley published 46 gospel songs in his lifetime influencing artists, musical genres, and even a movement., His "I'll Overcome Someday" set the foundation for "We Shall Overcome." His "Stand By Me" inspired Ben E. King's song under the same title., Following his death, his church was renamed Tindley Temple United Methodist Church. Services continue to be held at this church., [Sidebar:] , Did you know? , Often referred to as "The Prince of Preachers," he educated himself, became a minister and founded one of the largest Methodist congregations serving the African-American community on the East Coast of the United States., [Timeline:] ,

1851: Born on a rural farm in Berlin, Maryland , 1887: Ordained a Deacon in the Methodist Episcopal Church , 1889: Ordained an Elder at the Delaware Conference , 1900: Became Presiding Elder Wilmington District , 1901: Began publishing songs , 1902: Becomes Pastor of Calvary Methodist Episcopal Church in Philadelphia , 1905: Published hymn collection "Soul Echoes" , 1915: Led a protest with other leaders against "The Birth of a Nation" in Philadelphia , 1933: Dr. Tindley passes away in his home on July 26, 1933 at the age of 82 years

Always eager to learn
Born in 1851 to an enslaved father, Albert Tindley, and a free mother, Hester Miller Tindley, Charles Albert Tindley spent his childhood on a rural farm in Berlin.

After marrying Daisy Henry, Tindley moved to Philadelphia, where he found employment as a brick carrier and a janitor at the church he attended.

Despite his status as free, Tindley could not escape the hardships of being black in America. Under Maryland law, it was illegal for him to receive any education; however, the law had no effect on his eager mind.

Tindley learned independently and by asking people to tutor him. He enlisted the help of a Philadelphia synagogue to learn Hebrew and learned Greek by taking a correspondence course through the Boston Theological School. After finishing his courses in 1902, Tindley presided over the same church he used to work for. He quickly gained prominence as a leading pastor in Philadelphia not only due to his powerful voice, but his unique preaching style.

Reverend Tindley often returned to his hometown of Berlin, Maryland to support local African-American churches.

A prolific writer
Tindley published 46 gospel songs in his lifetime influencing artists, musical genres, and even a movement.

His "I'll Overcome Someday" set the foundation for "We Shall Overcome." His "Stand By Me" inspired Ben E. King's song under the same title.

Following his death, his church was renamed Tindley Temple United Methodist Church. Services continue to be held at this church.

[Sidebar:]
Did you know?
Often referred to as "The Prince of Preachers," he educated himself, became a minister and founded one of the largest Methodist congregations serving the African-American community on the East Coast of the United States.

[Timeline:]

1851: Born on a rural farm in Berlin, Maryland
1887: Ordained a Deacon in the Methodist Episcopal Church
1889: Ordained an Elder at the Delaware Conference
1900: Became Presiding Elder Wilmington District
1901: Began publishing songs
1902: Becomes Pastor of Calvary Methodist Episcopal Church in Philadelphia
1905: Published hymn collection "Soul Echoes"
1915: Led a protest with other leaders against "The Birth of a Nation" in Philadelphia
1933: Dr. Tindley passes away in his home on July 26, 1933 at the age of 82 years

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of Berlin, Maryland; Maryland State Arts Council; Berlin Arts & Entertainment District.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Civil Rights • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is July 26, 1933.

Location. 38° 19.522′ N, 75° 13.202′ W. Marker is in Berlin, Maryland, in Worcester County. It is on Commerce Street west of North Main Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 25 Commerce St, Berlin MD 21811, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Eastern Shore.

It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic,

on the Delmarva Peninsula,

and in the Tidewater.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Dr. Charles Albert Tindley (a few steps

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 11, 2025

2. Rev. Dr. Charles Albert Tindley Marker

from this marker); Renaissance Plaza (within shouting distance of this marker); The Old Globe Theater (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Veterans Memorial (about 500 feet away); Calvin B. Taylor House (about 500 feet away); Dr. Mary Humphreys Arboretum (about 500 feet away); Ayres Building (about 600 feet away); U.S.S. Decatur Anchor (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Berlin.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 11, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 11, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 108 times since then and 71 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 11, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.