Then came July 7 , 2019 . Seven inches of rain in one hour brought catastrophic flooding , which caused an original basement wall to collapse . Chuck Williams , Ken Cummins and the rest of the 150-person congregation feared their sanctuary — like so many other Black churches in the county , state , and nation — was lost for good . ..................................................................................... varying paths forward ....................................................................................
Even the most fervent pastors tell us that religious faith has little to do with where the worshiping occurs . That belief , along with economic inequities and aging congregations , has led to the closing of all but a handful of the most historic Black churches in the past half century . When ZOOM became ubiquitous during the pandemic in early 2020 , virtually all forms of worship turned on-line — and may never fully return to the structures . Scotland AME Zion , for one , isn ’ t giving up .
“ We have to find a way to turn that trend around ,” said Cummins , who serves with Chuck Williams on the capital campaign committee that has launched a restoration effort . “ We have to find a way to save all these Black churches , not just ours . They are an essential symbol of an era when America still believed in a better version of itself , that its best days were ahead . I think if we lose this part of our history , we lose our society .”
Knight Kiplinger agrees wholeheartedly . His family foundation was among the funders of a 2012 research project titled “ Community Cornerstones : A Selection of Historic African American
Churches in Montgomery County , Maryland .” Twenty-four sanctuaries were highlighted , including one that functions almost exclusively as a museum .
“ We survive any way we can ,” said Suzanne Johnson of the St . Paul Community Church , which now houses the non-profit Sugarland Ethno-History Project . Launched by the late Gwen Hebron Reese 20 years ago after most of the congregants had passed on or moved away and regular Sunday services ended , the project ’ s many artifacts tell vivid stories that include the church ’ s role as the site of Maryland ’ s first interracial marriage ( 1967 ) and the filming of an Academy Award-nominated film , Philomena ( 2013 ), starring Dame Judi Dench .
“ My ancestors were part of a community that spanned more
Sugarland historian Suzanne Johnson holds her church ’ s original Bible , dated 1866 . Its cover and pages were singed in a fire that destroyed the community ’ s original worship space , the Sugarland Forest Methodist Episcopal Church , built in 1871 .
Local benefactor Knight Kiplinger sits in the John Poole House , the oldest building in Poolesville .
than 200 acres and included a schoolhouse , a general store , a post office , and a community hall in addition to a church that was originally called the Sugarland Forest Methodist Episcopal Church ,” said Ms . Johnson . She still maintains the congregation ’ s original Bible , dated 1866 , that was charred when the first edifice burned in about 1890 . “ It might have been the potbelly stove , or it could have been arson . But we don ’ t have any proof either way , so I shouldn ’ t speculate .”
She does dare to dream of a day when a museum could be built out back near the cemetery where nearly 300 heirs of church founders have been laid to rest . In a perfect world , she said , the creaky old floor could be fixed and the church could officially re-open for weddings and funerals . Meanwhile , grants from Heritage Montgomery , the Maryland Historical Trust , the Montgomery Countryside Alliance , and the county government keep the lights on and developers away .
“ We do what we can , but we can ’ t do it all ,” said Knight Kiplinger , who chairs the Historic Medley District , a local historical society . “ Sometimes , I wish there were a broader pool of support in trying to keep the soul of this county intact .”
20 plenty I autumn Harvest 2023