Ebenezer Baptist Church
The Ebenezer Baptist Church was founded in 1892 by Reverend Alexander Truatt.[1] The original building was destroyed by a fire in 1907 and was rebuilt in the same location.[1] The church features a Roosevelt Pipe Organ, one of only 300 made. [2] The organ was purchased from First Presbyterian Church
History
The Church was founded by Alexander Truatt, a prominent local pastor, on March 25, 1892. Originally, meetings were held at the Daughter's of Zion Hall. Rev. Truatt led the church for the next two years, during which time construction was completed on an independent building at 113 Sixth St NW.[3]
On November 27, 1907 - Thanksgiving Day - the church's building was destroyed by a fire. At that time, Ebenezer Baptist was led Rev. Thomas D. Atkins, who oversaw the speedy reconstruction at the same address. By October of 1908, the church was rededicated.
Over the next three decades, several pastors served Ebenezer Baptist, and a parsonage was purchased to home the pastor and his family. In 1934, Rev. Dr. E.D. McCreary took over, and remained pastor until his retirement in 1966.
In 1967, Rev. Elisha G. Hall became pastor, a position he remained in for 35 years, making him Ebenezer's longest-serving pastor. During his tenure, a church van and additional property were purchased.
Rev. Lehman D. Bates, II (the current pastor), was installed in early 2006; he undertook a massive project aimed at renovating, restoring, and maintaining the church. The three-year process cost $250,000 and included everything from carpeting to a brand-new media center. Notably, the church installed an elevator, for which the city awarded them the 2008 Herman Key Access to the Disabled Award.[1]
In 2010, following the major earthquake in Haiti, the Ebenezer Church's response was so powerful that it was the first congregation in the US to host the Haitian Ambassador, the Hon. Raymond A. Joseph.
History Week Celebration and more images
On May 29, 2012, Ebenezer Baptist Church opened its doors to the community as part of the city's 250th celebration. The program included a brief historical overview provided by Zelda Mitchell, a greeting from Pastor Lehman D. Bates, II, and a church tour by Deacon Kenneth Page.
Pastor Lehman D. Bates, II
Pastors and Reverends
- Alexander Truatt
- Cornelius N. Harris[4]
- C.N. Granison
- Wilson Carter
- C.N. Harris
- A.B. Coleman
- Thomas Briggs
- E.J. Jackson
- Thomas D. Atkins
- Edward D. McCreary, Sr.
- Elisha G. Hall
- Lehman D. Bates, II
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Web. History
- ↑ Mitchel, Zelda. "Church History Highlights." np. Ebenezer Baptist Church, Charlottesville, VA. 29 May 2012. Lecture.
- ↑ Web. Ebenezer Baptist Church 113 Sixth Street NW
- ↑ Web. HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN NEGRO, WEST VIRGINIA EDITION, ILLUSTRATED, VOLUME VII, A. B. CALDWELL PUBLISHING COMPANY, ATLANTA, GA., 1923, retrieved 1 September 2023.