The Historic Ebenezer A.M.E. Church
139 years of God's Grace in Detroit, Michigan
Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal Church
A history
The name “Ebenezer” means “Stone of Help.” The church has the distinction of being the sixth oldest Black congregation in
2 Samuel 7: 12
Then Samuel took a stone, and set [it] between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us.
Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal Church was founded November 2, 1871 under the leadership of Rev. Gee. C. Booth and thirteen members of
Rev. C. Emory Allen
In 1901, Reverend C. Emory Allen became Pastor of Ebenezer in a time of a growing migration of
The Rev. Joseph Gomez, an immigrant from
Bishop George W. Baber
In 1933 Rev. George W. Baber became pastor of Ebenezer, and helped to guide the church through its next period of growth and expansion. While under Rev. Baber’s leadership, and to rise to the challenges of the depression, the church established an employment bureau and relief agency for families in distress. In 1935, the church building was purchased for twenty thousand dollars from the United States Government to make way for a clearance project initiated by the Federal Housing Authority. Seventeen thousand dollars was immediately applied as a down payment on the purchase of Ebenezer’s third building, located on Willis and Brush. On December 22, 1935 Rev. Baber lead the congregation of 3000 into this magnificent temple. The congregation housed soldiers in the Dorms of the church During World War II, and Boxing Great, Joe Lewis trained in the gym. Rev. Baber continued to serve as pastor until he was elected Bishop in 1944. On August 6, 1960 a fire destroyed the main sanctuary of the church, forcing the congregation to locate a new place to worship temporarily. Services were held at
Bishop Hubert Robinson
Finally on July 12, 1964, Rev. Hubert Robinson led the Ebenezer congregation in what was her fourth move to the present location at
Under the leadership of Dr. Fred E. Stephens-who assumed leadership of Ebenezer in late 1964 after the elevation of Hubert Robinson to the episcopacy- programs for the youth were expanded to include officer training and stewardship. Personal evangelism was encouraged and the church grew in leaps with new membership. The church continued its involvement with many areas of civic and religious life such as Operation Uplift (
While the Reverend Robert Thomas, Jr., was pastor he was instrumental in having the former
The Rev. Clarence Robinson became pastor of Ebenezer. His motto: “If you make the effort, God will make the Way.” This theme still echoes through our congregation today. Reverend Robinson was focused on the youth of the church, and invested many resources in the development of the young people- many of whom would go on to serve the AME church as ministers and officers.
Presiding Elder Robert L. Phillips
Rev. Robert L. Phillips, who pastored Ebenezer AME church from 1991 to 1997, became presiding elder of the north district of the Michigan Annual Conference in 1997. While at Ebenezer, Rev. Phillips implemented the “You took me in” program, in which the church to provided shelter for the homeless during the bitter cold of winter. Rev. Robert Phillips also began the process of obtaining an abandoned building by forming a Non-Profit Housing Corporation and acquired the abandoned building, currently located next to the church. The building was renovated and converted into apartments, providing additional housing to the adjacent community. This apartment complex was honored by being named after the third pastor to be elected Bishop from Ebenezer AME Church, and is now known as the Robert Thomas, Jr. Apartments. Rev. Phillips was elevated to the position of Presiding Elder
Dr. H. Michael Lemmons became pastor April 6, 1997, providing leadership of this 1000 member congregation in the completion a $5 million restoration of the Robert Thomas Jr. Apartments, a 48-unit building, a $25,000 repair and restoration of an historic Aeolian Skinner Organ, an instillation of a sound system in the Mother Beverly Thomas Social Hall and the Bishop Hubert N. Robinson Chapel, the consolidation and paving of church parking lots, 2 new church vans, a new roof on a the church parsonage and the church gymnasium, the establishment of an Arts Guild, a Liturgical Dance Ministry, a Greeters Club, the H. Michael Lemmons Archival Library, and the establishment of a church website, www.stoneofhelp.com. In March 2003, Rev. Dr. H. Michael Lemmons appointed a commission to research the process to have Ebenezer recognized as a historical site. The Detroit City Council voted unanimously to approve the recommendation, and the church is now considered a Historical Landmark within the City of
Rev. Byron C. Moore is the current pastor of The Historic Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal Church in Detroit, Michigan. He was assigned to this pastorate in October 26, 2008 . Rev. Moore is a native of Detroit, Michigan and came to the Ebenezer A.M.E. family with a diverse background that prepared him for pastoring this historic church. Rev. Moore has made an evident difference in the greater Detroit community. He served as a volunteer for the Detroit Public Schools Compaq Program, where he helped to train leaders of tomorrow in the business ethics and practices of today. Rev. Moore also served as an Adjunct Chaplain for the Children’s Hospital of Michigan, completing a unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) consisting of a 600 hour practicum. He is a charter member and past chaplain of the Southfield, Michigan Alumni Tau Kappa Kappa Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. He also demonstrated a love for the arts, as he was a featured poet in Detroit’s Pitch Black Poetry Series, where he became especially known for socially controversial, politically radical, and theologically insightful poems. In addition, he has recited poetry at the Detroit Urban League and the historic Graystone Jazz Museum in Detroit, Michigan, to name a few.
The rich history of
This is the 137-year history of
Welcome
Ebenezer is a place that we call home
A place where you will never be alone
We will be there for you
Always in prayer for you
Ebenezer welcomes you!
Upcoming Events
Summer Fun Days
Thursdays and Fridays only
July 1- August 6, 2010
Young Adult Network Events
General Meetings
July 8th and July 22nd, 2010
5:30 - 6:30 PM
Mary Robinson Lounge
Icebreaker
July 25, 2010
Following 10:30 AM Service
