The History of Freedom Temple African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
In 1927 the late Rev. W. J. Robinson and seven others founded the John Wesley A.M.E. Zion Church in East Baltimore, Maryland. Approximately 40 years after its founding, the congregation moved to 1923 Ashland Avenue-- near the Johns Hopkins Hospital. Many pastors served this historic congregation including: the Reverends H.S. Roan, L.L.Hatchell, Hall, March, William Jarvey, T.P. Wilson, Charles Johnson, P.A. Thompson, Robert White, David Mitchell, Leo Watkins, A.S. Ford, J.E. Mitchell, Frederick D. Williams, Neal J. Gilchrist, Lewis M. Anthony, Arthur J. Parker, William W. Anderson, Booker Barskill and Sean Bell.
In September 2002, Bishop Milton A. Williams, Sr. appointed the Reverend Dr. Frances Murphy Draper as the church's first female pastor Under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Draper (affectionately known as Pastor Toni), the ministry expanded to include a youth entertainment recording studio, GED classes, substance abuse counseling, marriage enrichment seminars, an annual harvest fest,outdoor services and a summer music and arts camp.
With a long history of service, a rapidly changing neighborhood and, most importantly, a fresh vision of ministry that serves this present age, Pastor Toni and the congregation began actively seeking God's direction regarding the name of the church, location and ministry focus. As only He can, God answered. In 2009, a new name was adopted-Freedom Temple A. M. E. Zion Church. Shortly thereafter the Lord opened the door for the congregation to move to the Brooklyn/Curtis Bay area.
The congregation immediately went to work serving its new community with monthly outreach activities designed to share the love of Jesus. Spirit-filled worship services and a vibrant children's and youth church are held every Sunday @10:15 a.m. Other ministries include: Bible Study, Fresh Wind Women's Ministry, Laborers Into His Harvest Men's Ministry (last Thursday of the month), God's Design Marriage Ministry, Children's and Youth Ministry. In addition, the Freedom Temple Bible Institute, a distance learning center of Chesapeake Bible College and Seminary offers Diploma of Ministry, Associate of Christian Ministry Degree, Bachelor of Ministry Degree, and Master of Ministry Degree.
Over the course of 2 years, beginning in 2012, we journeyed from Ashland Avenue in East Baltimore, to Church Street in Anne Arundel County, to 10th Street and Ridgely Street both in Baltimore City, seeking God for a permanent location to worship and headquarter our ministries. Through it all God's peace and grace was evident, and our commitment to service and ministry never wavered.
In the midst of prayer and fasting during the Lenten season in March 2015, God answered and opened the door for us to purchase our permanent location, 2926 Hollins Ferry Road, Baltimore, Maryland 21230. We praise God for His mighty move! We held our inaugural service, Good Friday, March 27, 2015 6:45 p.m.
The harvest is truly plentiful and the members of Freedom Temple are committed to sowing seeds of love, encouragement, healing, and friendship in our surrounding neighborhood and abroad.
In 1927 the late Rev. W. J. Robinson and seven others founded the John Wesley A.M.E. Zion Church in East Baltimore, Maryland. Approximately 40 years after its founding, the congregation moved to 1923 Ashland Avenue-- near the Johns Hopkins Hospital. Many pastors served this historic congregation including: the Reverends H.S. Roan, L.L.Hatchell, Hall, March, William Jarvey, T.P. Wilson, Charles Johnson, P.A. Thompson, Robert White, David Mitchell, Leo Watkins, A.S. Ford, J.E. Mitchell, Frederick D. Williams, Neal J. Gilchrist, Lewis M. Anthony, Arthur J. Parker, William W. Anderson, Booker Barskill and Sean Bell.
In September 2002, Bishop Milton A. Williams, Sr. appointed the Reverend Dr. Frances Murphy Draper as the church's first female pastor Under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Draper (affectionately known as Pastor Toni), the ministry expanded to include a youth entertainment recording studio, GED classes, substance abuse counseling, marriage enrichment seminars, an annual harvest fest,outdoor services and a summer music and arts camp.
With a long history of service, a rapidly changing neighborhood and, most importantly, a fresh vision of ministry that serves this present age, Pastor Toni and the congregation began actively seeking God's direction regarding the name of the church, location and ministry focus. As only He can, God answered. In 2009, a new name was adopted-Freedom Temple A. M. E. Zion Church. Shortly thereafter the Lord opened the door for the congregation to move to the Brooklyn/Curtis Bay area.
The congregation immediately went to work serving its new community with monthly outreach activities designed to share the love of Jesus. Spirit-filled worship services and a vibrant children's and youth church are held every Sunday @10:15 a.m. Other ministries include: Bible Study, Fresh Wind Women's Ministry, Laborers Into His Harvest Men's Ministry (last Thursday of the month), God's Design Marriage Ministry, Children's and Youth Ministry. In addition, the Freedom Temple Bible Institute, a distance learning center of Chesapeake Bible College and Seminary offers Diploma of Ministry, Associate of Christian Ministry Degree, Bachelor of Ministry Degree, and Master of Ministry Degree.
Over the course of 2 years, beginning in 2012, we journeyed from Ashland Avenue in East Baltimore, to Church Street in Anne Arundel County, to 10th Street and Ridgely Street both in Baltimore City, seeking God for a permanent location to worship and headquarter our ministries. Through it all God's peace and grace was evident, and our commitment to service and ministry never wavered.
In the midst of prayer and fasting during the Lenten season in March 2015, God answered and opened the door for us to purchase our permanent location, 2926 Hollins Ferry Road, Baltimore, Maryland 21230. We praise God for His mighty move! We held our inaugural service, Good Friday, March 27, 2015 6:45 p.m.
The harvest is truly plentiful and the members of Freedom Temple are committed to sowing seeds of love, encouragement, healing, and friendship in our surrounding neighborhood and abroad.