CHURCH HISTORY
As we go back to our roots we find Ebenezer Baptist Church (EBC) is a branch stemming from Dudley Baptist Church, Martinsburg, West Virginia. A few dedicated saints were led by God to start a new church. God blessed them with land and EBC was brought forth.
EBC was built in 1910 under the construction of Mr. Compton, a Contractor. The lot was purchased in 1908 from James W. and Christina Smith for $25.00. Originally, there were no water lines leading to the Church, so Mr. James W. Smith contributed water from his hydrant to build the foundation. Mr. William S. Spears, Sr. donated the cornerstone in the memory of his mother, Mrs. Charlotte Spears.
Reverend John Carter was the first Senior Pastor, to serve at EBC serving from 1910-1920. He was followed by Reverend John D. Fortune, Reverend Pree, Reverend Bryant, Reverend Sanders and Reverend Taylor.
For the furtherance of EBC, in 1947 Reverend John H. Wright was called as EBC's Senior Pastor. Reverend Wright did numerous things for the church; one of great importance was the paying off of the Church mortgage. However, due to his declining health Rev. John H. Wright retired thereafter.
In 1960, Reverend James Thompson was called to be EBC's Senior Pastor. It was still a continuation of improving EBC. During this period an organ was purchased, cushioned ceiling was installed, the walls and pews were painted, a hot water tank was installed and an entrance to the basement from the inside was constructed.
In 1966 Reverend Stewart was called as a Supply Pastor, during his pastorate, he reorganized the Junior Choir and gave them robes and he also contributed pulpit furniture.
In 1968, Reverend Carl V. Messiah was called to be our Pastor; under his leadership we continued to improve our Church. A new organization was formed, The Willing Workers Club. The Junior Usher Board and the Senior Usher Board were reorganized, racks for the pews and new Hymn books were purchased; the basement was painted and inside restrooms were installed. In the late 1960's, EBC purchased a lot, which is now called the Martin Luther King park. At the time of the purchase, there were two houses on the property. One was used as a church parsonage and the other remained vacant.
In 1973, Reverend Thomas Martin became our Pastor. The kitchen and dining rooms were remodeled. In the late 1970’s the City of Martinsburg purchased the property, which is now called Martin Luther King Park from the church. On February 20, 1983, Reverend Nathaniel Q. Wright became our Pastor. Under his leadership the sanctuary of the church was paneled.
On July 14, 1985, Reverend Chester L. Burke accepted the call to pastor Ebenezer Baptist Church. Under his leadership, different organizations were formed and others were reorganized. New facilities were added to the kitchen, furniture for the pastor's study, furniture for the dining area, doors leading into the sanctuary of the church, a new PA system, new chairs for the choir, landscaping in the front of the church, and a church bus was purchased. The pews were repaired and covered. New floor and covering in the kitchen and dining area, two steel frame doors were added and central air conditioning were installed. A storm door was installed in the kitchen. New Hymn books and Bibles were purchased, in 1987 a water fountain was installed in the vestibule, a new roof over the Pastor's study, a copy machine and typewriter was purchased.
On March 7, 1989, Reverend James E. Brown accepted the call to pastor EBC. In August 2006, under his pastoral leadership, EBC broke ground to build an addition to the church. The new addition serves as the new sanctuary and provides classrooms and office space. The old sanctuary was transformed into the new dining facility. We are grateful to the three dedicated members who labored in this transformation: Bro. Ronald Lambert, Bro. Patrick Green and Trustee Jimmy Jenkins. In addition, the church has been blessed with many new members and ministries.
On June 30, 2019, Reverend James Brown retired leaving an opening for a new Senior Pastor to led the flock, so it was advertised on the radio and in the newspaper. By unanimous vote of the congregation Reverend J. Kevin Mangram was selected as Senior Pastor preaching his first sermon on November 15, 2020. Because of the pandemic of 2020, he preached to his flock via Facebook and Zoom. Per the CDC guidelines that caused the Pastor and the congregation to wear masks the church doors were open on July 4th, 2021. Sadly, on July 19, 2021, the congregation received the worst news ever, our Senior Pastor, Reverend J. Kevin Mangram had passed away. A home going service for the pastor elect was performed on July 29, 2021 at the church.
Between August 7, 2021 to May 29, 2022 with the pandemic still looming, EBC had many pastors to preach to the congregation but again we were on the search for a new pastor. Announcements were posted on the churches website, Facebook, newspapers (Washington Post and The Journal), and announced on WHUR radio in Washington DC. The applicants were narrowed down to three candidates. Each candidate preached sermons for a full month beginning in February 2022.
On June 5, 2022, it was announced that Reverend Dr. Sherman L. Lambert, Sr, was EBC's new Senior Pastor preaching his first sermon on June 12, 2022.
We are indeed grateful to our founding fathers for their foresight. Amidst the turmoil and confusion Christians now face in this world, EBC proudly opens its doors to all who seek sanctuary in the promises of God. Having reached this 100th year milestone, EBC rests on God a solid rock foundation that stands as a symbol of hope. Since 1910 we have been truly blessed and grateful for all that God has done and continues to do for EBC.
EBC was built in 1910 under the construction of Mr. Compton, a Contractor. The lot was purchased in 1908 from James W. and Christina Smith for $25.00. Originally, there were no water lines leading to the Church, so Mr. James W. Smith contributed water from his hydrant to build the foundation. Mr. William S. Spears, Sr. donated the cornerstone in the memory of his mother, Mrs. Charlotte Spears.
Reverend John Carter was the first Senior Pastor, to serve at EBC serving from 1910-1920. He was followed by Reverend John D. Fortune, Reverend Pree, Reverend Bryant, Reverend Sanders and Reverend Taylor.
For the furtherance of EBC, in 1947 Reverend John H. Wright was called as EBC's Senior Pastor. Reverend Wright did numerous things for the church; one of great importance was the paying off of the Church mortgage. However, due to his declining health Rev. John H. Wright retired thereafter.
In 1960, Reverend James Thompson was called to be EBC's Senior Pastor. It was still a continuation of improving EBC. During this period an organ was purchased, cushioned ceiling was installed, the walls and pews were painted, a hot water tank was installed and an entrance to the basement from the inside was constructed.
In 1966 Reverend Stewart was called as a Supply Pastor, during his pastorate, he reorganized the Junior Choir and gave them robes and he also contributed pulpit furniture.
In 1968, Reverend Carl V. Messiah was called to be our Pastor; under his leadership we continued to improve our Church. A new organization was formed, The Willing Workers Club. The Junior Usher Board and the Senior Usher Board were reorganized, racks for the pews and new Hymn books were purchased; the basement was painted and inside restrooms were installed. In the late 1960's, EBC purchased a lot, which is now called the Martin Luther King park. At the time of the purchase, there were two houses on the property. One was used as a church parsonage and the other remained vacant.
In 1973, Reverend Thomas Martin became our Pastor. The kitchen and dining rooms were remodeled. In the late 1970’s the City of Martinsburg purchased the property, which is now called Martin Luther King Park from the church. On February 20, 1983, Reverend Nathaniel Q. Wright became our Pastor. Under his leadership the sanctuary of the church was paneled.
On July 14, 1985, Reverend Chester L. Burke accepted the call to pastor Ebenezer Baptist Church. Under his leadership, different organizations were formed and others were reorganized. New facilities were added to the kitchen, furniture for the pastor's study, furniture for the dining area, doors leading into the sanctuary of the church, a new PA system, new chairs for the choir, landscaping in the front of the church, and a church bus was purchased. The pews were repaired and covered. New floor and covering in the kitchen and dining area, two steel frame doors were added and central air conditioning were installed. A storm door was installed in the kitchen. New Hymn books and Bibles were purchased, in 1987 a water fountain was installed in the vestibule, a new roof over the Pastor's study, a copy machine and typewriter was purchased.
On March 7, 1989, Reverend James E. Brown accepted the call to pastor EBC. In August 2006, under his pastoral leadership, EBC broke ground to build an addition to the church. The new addition serves as the new sanctuary and provides classrooms and office space. The old sanctuary was transformed into the new dining facility. We are grateful to the three dedicated members who labored in this transformation: Bro. Ronald Lambert, Bro. Patrick Green and Trustee Jimmy Jenkins. In addition, the church has been blessed with many new members and ministries.
On June 30, 2019, Reverend James Brown retired leaving an opening for a new Senior Pastor to led the flock, so it was advertised on the radio and in the newspaper. By unanimous vote of the congregation Reverend J. Kevin Mangram was selected as Senior Pastor preaching his first sermon on November 15, 2020. Because of the pandemic of 2020, he preached to his flock via Facebook and Zoom. Per the CDC guidelines that caused the Pastor and the congregation to wear masks the church doors were open on July 4th, 2021. Sadly, on July 19, 2021, the congregation received the worst news ever, our Senior Pastor, Reverend J. Kevin Mangram had passed away. A home going service for the pastor elect was performed on July 29, 2021 at the church.
Between August 7, 2021 to May 29, 2022 with the pandemic still looming, EBC had many pastors to preach to the congregation but again we were on the search for a new pastor. Announcements were posted on the churches website, Facebook, newspapers (Washington Post and The Journal), and announced on WHUR radio in Washington DC. The applicants were narrowed down to three candidates. Each candidate preached sermons for a full month beginning in February 2022.
On June 5, 2022, it was announced that Reverend Dr. Sherman L. Lambert, Sr, was EBC's new Senior Pastor preaching his first sermon on June 12, 2022.
We are indeed grateful to our founding fathers for their foresight. Amidst the turmoil and confusion Christians now face in this world, EBC proudly opens its doors to all who seek sanctuary in the promises of God. Having reached this 100th year milestone, EBC rests on God a solid rock foundation that stands as a symbol of hope. Since 1910 we have been truly blessed and grateful for all that God has done and continues to do for EBC.