Asbury United Methodist Church
White Marsh, MD
Upon This Rock I Will Build My Church
Matthew 16:18
The Historical Society states that in the early 1800's, a nail factory, a shipping station, Baltimore & Ohio Railroad and several farmers gave employment to the slaves of the area and a meeting house was built on or near the present site.
Asbury dates back to 1828. A pre-civil war grant was made by the Allender family for the colored people to have a place to worship God. The census of 1858 established there were 551 white and 140 black church goers in the Loreley, Cowenton and White Marsh areas.
Asbury became one of the preaching stations of the Great Gunpowder Falls Circuit in 1856. The Circuit extended from Ames in Belair; Asbury in Churchville; Tabernacle in Fallston; Mount Zion in Joppa; Edgewood (now John Wesley in Magnolia) and on towards the south to Sharp Street in Chase and Sharp Street Mission (now Mount Winans in Baltimore City).
The original structure of Asbury was a 20 feet by 24 feet log building. In the late 1980's, a pulpit and a 16 feet by 20 feet addition was erected. In 1913, the present high ceiling framed structure was built. The log building served as a social hall, however, it was raised in 1943. The sanctuary was artistically painted in 1943. In 1945, a kitchen was built. In 1947, the present social hall was built connecting the building facilities. In 1956, centralized heating was installed. In 1964, restrooms were provided. In 1966 refurbishment of the sanctuary (including carpet, pews, hymnals and pulpit) was completed. In 1968, the outside was aluminized and in 1970, the upper room space was built. William Jones and the men of the church dug a 51 foot well for water in 1958. Reverend George Gwynn, as contractor, let the men in many building projects. The side walks were layed in 1978. Lorraine Myers led a $500 drive and the WSCS President Alice Field had a $2,000 rally to pay this indebtness.
The present hymnals were donated to Asbury in 1989 by Mr. and Mrs. Leo Myers in memory of the late John S. Gwynn. Men and Women's Day, rallies and other activities have made the church an ongoing service to our community.
The Union of Brothers and Sisters of Ford's Asbury Lodge #1 was formed by members of this church to help bury the dead and care for the sick. This organization is now 131 years old and is the oldest incorporated lodge of Afro-Americans in the state of Maryland.
Thanks be to God for His blessings and His direction for leadership and vision.
In Memory of
Rev. Moses L. Gwynn, Jr.
