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Archiver > MDSTMARY > 2005-01 > 1104677515


From: "David Roberts" <>
Subject: History of St. Mark's
Date: Sun, 2 Jan 2005 09:51:55 -0500
References: <200412221823.iBMINpgb021204@mail4.us.net>


OK, this time I got it pasted before I cut anything !
David


St. Mark's Union American Methodist Episcopal Church, Valley Lee
Address:
Valley Lee MD 20692
Telephone: 301-994-2090
Other Information:
St. Mark's U. A. M. E. Church is located on Happyland Road, Valley Lee. See Bethesda United Methodist Church, Valley Lee, for early history of this African American congregation. Following the death of Rev. Perry McPherson ca. 1890, the Washington Conference asked Rev. Hezekiah Statesman, a local preacher, to serve as a temporary pastor for Bethesda M. E. Church. The people really liked Rev. Statesman. But in 1891, the Conference appointed a new pastor for Bethesda. The result was a split in the Bethesda congregation. About 30 members refused to accept the Conference's appointment. They met in the yard under a large oak tree under Rev. Statesman's leadership. This group soon formed a new congregation, totally separate from Bethesda. By 1892 they had erected a building across the road from their old home church. They joined the Baltimore Association of Independent Methodist Churches; later the congregation joined the Union American Methodist Episcopal Church. Since their prop!
erty was located in an area called "Holly Grove," St. Mark's sponsored the Holly Grove Camp Meeting. For many years, Holly Grove was known for its hospitality and good food. The present church building was built in 1968 and expanded in 1973. St. Mark's and St. Luke's share the cemetery located at St. Mark's. Just across the road stands St. Mark's "mother church" - Bethesda - a reminder of a long-ago dispute over a new preacher. St. Mark's, St. Luke's, and Bethesda all have been important to the African American community in the Second District of St. Mary's County.

----- Original Message -----
From: Sarah Fitzgerald
To: 'David Roberts'
Sent: Wednesday, December 22, 2004 1:23 PM
Subject: question


There are two churches on Happyland Road at the end. I know one is United Methodist and I thought the other was AME. I will look next time I go by.

Sarah




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