The History of Davis Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Church In 1939, the church was known as Social Freewill Baptist Church. June 1939, the Pastor of Freewill Baptist Church called a church conference to decide which members were going to stay at Freewill Baptist Church located on Barre Street, Baltimore, Maryland and which members were going to move. The decision was out of 600 members, there was an equal split. Three hundred stayed and 300 left to move with Freewill Baptist Church that relocated in East Baltimore. The Reverend Walter Henry, a local elder was then left in charge of the members that stayed.

Sister Gouler Opher was elected Secretary. Reverend Henry elected Trustees:

• Brother John Opher

• Brother Snowden

• Brother Nathaniel Ross

• Brother Fred Bailey

• Brother Waters and

• Brother Cheron.

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In early August 1939, Reverend Walter Henry and the Trustees, met with Reverend Tomlin of St. John AMEC to inquire as to how to manage the merge into the African Methodist Episcopal denomination. The remaining members decided to enter into the African Methodist Episcopal
Conference. With the assistance of Reverend Tomlin, he advised the members that they had to meet with the Baltimore Conference Board of Trustees, and the Presiding Prelate, the Right Reverend Monroe Hortensus Davis, 53rd Elected and Consecrated Bishop. Bishop Davis informed that a temporary pastor would be assigned and that was the Reverend Walter Henry. The Bishop provided an AMEC Discipline to provide guidance on the governance of the AME Church.

In April 1940, the members attended the Baltimore Annual Conference, and provided a full report of membership and financial assets. During the Annual Conference, the church was received in the Baltimore Conference and given the name Davis Memorial AME Church, to honor the Presiding
Bishop of the Conference. Bishop Davis appointed the Reverend Henry Blanks to serve as pastor and Reverend Walter Henry served as assistant to the pastor. Reverend Blanks served a year before transitioning to glory.

During the Annual Conference in 1941, the Reverend Melvin was assigned to serve as Pastor at Davis Memorial AME. Reverend Melvin served for thirteen years. The membership decreased and some members no longer desired to be governed by the AME Church, therefore, some returned
to Freewill Baptist Church. Sister Cora Parker was elected as Secretary of the church. The singing and praying band continued and the other organizations continued to function.

From 1944 – 1948, Reverend Chew pastored Davis Memorial and made a significant impact on the church. Reverend Bryant was ordained a local deacon. The Sunday School of Davis Memorial consisted of 100 students, some of whom played instruments. The church formed an orchestra and they were the largest in South Baltimore. The membership increased, as well as the choirs, ushers, stewards and trustees.

In 1949, Reverend Wings was appointed to pastor Davis Memorial. Reverend Bryant was ordained a local elder and sorrowfully, Reverend Walter Henry passed. Reverend Wings and the local elder, Reverend Bryant had a misunderstanding. Once again the membership decreased. In the early part of 1950, the Baltimore Annual Conference assigned Reverend Bryant to Pastor the church in Oella. Reverend Dunlap was appointed to Davis Memorial.

A church conference was held and Kenneth S. Powell was nominated as a minister and Reverend Wilson signed his license to preach. In 1951, Minister Powell was recommended at the District Conference for admittance in the Annual Conference for ordination as a local deacon. As a
local deacon, Reverend Powell hired Sister Gray as the church pianist and organist. Delegates were sent to District Conference and to Kittrell College for a retreat. It was rumored that Davis Memorial no longer existed. One year later, the Gunther’s Brewery wanted to buy the the
land where Davis was located on Barre Street for storage purposes.

 

In 1960, Davis Memorial was vandalized. The city informed the Trustees that they could move the benches out of the church. The benches were stored on Baltimore and Carey Streets. Davis Memorial then purchased land in the 2800 block of Westwood and Poplar Grove. The church started building using a contractor named Mr. Pinkney. In order to complete the foundation of the building, the church required additional financial resources. Monies were borrowed from Southern Life Insurance Company. The church was advised that M. Goldseker Real Estate Company
was purchasing the land; however, the City held the finances. The church had 19 days to find a new location. Davis Memorial purchased the property 2409 Roslyn Avenue. Reverend Dunlap was still pastor.

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In 1969, Reverend S. T. Burris was assigned as Pastor. He preached the first sermon at Davis Memorial AMEC at the Roslyn Avenue location. The church was reorganized and Pastor Burris developed an envelope system for members’ dues. He served as Pastor for 18 years. The next
appointed Pastor was Reverend David Sparrow and he served Davis Memorial for 8 years. He led the congregation to commit to several modifications to the building including new bathrooms on the first floor.

After Reverend Sparrow, the next appointed Pastor was Reverend Patrick Hipkins, who served Davis for twenty-six years. Pastor Hipkins definitely made a tremendous difference in the membership, the trustees, the choirs and the ushers. He also insured that additional modifications
were made to Davis Memorial, such as new doors, new pews, a dining area, new furniture, carpet and new lighting to name a few.

On April 24, 2015, Reverend Roxanne G. Parson was assigned as Pastor of Davis Memorial AMEC, notably the first female pastor to service the congregation. In February 2016, Davis Memorial moved from 2409 Roslyn Avenue to 1430 Joh Avenue, Suite E, Baltimore, Maryland 21227 until a
determination could be rendered regarding the property at 2409 Roslyn Avenue. March 2018, the property on Roslyn Avenue was sold. Currently, the church is worshiping at Allen AME Church until a new edifice is located.