After significant revitalization, the historic Asbury United Methodist Church in The Hill Community of Easton was celebrated Friday morning after almost 12 years of hard work.
The project, initiated in 2010 by Professor Dale Glenwood Green from Morgan State University, involved students from the School of Architecture and Planning. They surveyed the church for the Historic American Building Survey. Following this, in 2011, Professor Mark Leone from the University of Maryland at College Park led annual public archaeological excavations.
And then came the renovation.
Harper & Sons, Inc., a family-owned business from Easton specializing in historic rehabilitation, tackled significant structural challenges, including a failing first-floor system and a westward-leaning steeple tower. They successfully rehabilitated the church from the steeple to the foundation piers.
The extensive renovation, costing $1.4 million, took 12 years of fundraising and nine years of construction. The project faced hurdles, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, when over 200 local donors stepped in to support the church’s reopening.
Yerkes Construction initially took on the early phase, followed by Encore Sustainable Architects, who started repairing stained-glass windows in 2014 and later expanded to restore the entire building exterior, including major structural repairs and renovations of the Fellowship Hall and kitchen. Key contributors included Architects W. Ward Bucher, Joseph Wojciechowski, Ernest Demby, Nakita Reed, and Engineers Paynter Ingram and Pulak Bera.
The project also celebrated its roots in Easton’s African diaspora and Methodism. The highlight was when Frederick Douglass, portrayed by nationally renowned Fred Morsell, preached at the church, marking a significant historical moment. Initially part of integrated Methodist societies, the church eventually formed its own congregation within the Easton Quarterly Conference before the Civil War.
The culmination of this long journey was marked by a procession through The Hill Community, led by Professor Green. It included speeches by key figures such as pastor Reginald R. Pinkett, architect Ward Bucher, and guest scholar Celeste-Marie Bernier. .
Special Agent 89 was there to file this report.
This video is approximately one minute in length.
joan young says
Would have loved to have more of the restoration featured in this clip, for example views of the stained glass windows and more architectural details.