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A Brief History of New Queen Esther A.M.E. Church Every Sunday of the year, each member of Queen Esther should breathe a prayer of thanksgiving; for it was on a Sunday in 1851, 157 years ago, that the congregation of Queen Esther A.M.E. Church became established at its present location. Prior to 1840, church members worshipped in their homes. In 1840 a log cabin was built and dedicated on this site to worship God. The name of the first pastor is not known, and the history of those early years is vague. The present church stands on the same site of land given by Brother Isaac and Sister Rosetta Walley of Ivorytown, to the trustees of the church on June 2, 1851. Later more land was donated by Brother Peter D. Roberts, also of Ivorytown. African Methodism began at Snow Hill on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Nothing remains of that church building today. However, a number of people in the Asbury Methodist congregation in Easton withdrew to establish a new church, which is known as Bethel Church in Easton. Later, people living out in the surrounding county decided to form another church. This was the beginning of Queen Esther church at Ivorytown. The structure burned some time afterward, was rebuilt on the same site and renamed New Queen Esther as noted on the cornerstone. In recent years under the stewardship of Rev. George R. Simpson, the fellowship hall was completely gutted and remodeled by Brother Melvin Potter, Sr. Members dedicated the building with a name, “The Carpenter’s Fellowship Hall.” In 2006, the trustees and members ventured on another project to remodel the exterior walls of the church with new vinyl siding. During the remodeling project, the roof was restructured with new rafters and covered with new shingles. New thermal paned windows were added; the roof covering the restrooms was raised and given an A-frame pitch. The steeple was repaired and the bell is now rung again on Sunday mornings, much like Brother Lawrence Walley did faithfully, many years ago. Many illustrious men have served this church. Perhaps the best known among them was the late Dr. R. E. Ford, who was Presiding Elder of the Baltimore District and a leader in the Baltimore Conference. Another is Dr. O. J. Hayman, who served eight years as pastor and local school teacher. According to the records, the pastors served in the following order: Rev. Henry Fitchett, Rev. S.M. Murray, Rev. W. Droom, Rev. W Colbert, Rev. A.J. Ward, Rev. H. Holder, Rev. Carter, Rev. O.J. Hayman, Rev. I. B. Bivens, Rev. C. Pollitt, Rev. O. Camper, Rev. C. Gamby, Rev. Walter Young, Rev. E.N. Anderson, Rev. E. H. Strawberry, Rev. A.J. Jones, Rev. Durham, Rev. Goins, Rev. E. A. Lyte, Rev. Parker, Rev. Norton, Rev. D. Gale, Rev. J. Moses Ballard Sr., Rev. Manegolt, Rev. Powell, Rev. William D. Maker, Rev. Makell, Rev. Frederick Jones, Jr., Rev. Leon B. Hall, Rev. Earle M. Brooks, who is our Presiding Elder, and our present shepherd for the past 21 years, the Rev. George Richard Simpson. Some of the local preachers and class leaders no longer with us, who served the church in past were: Bro. James Watkins, who served as a local preacher and class leader; Bro. Resolm Wilson, Bro. Jenner, Bro. Charles Chase, Bro. Tom Thomas, Bro. Edward Wilson, Bro. Martin Wilson (local preacher), Bro. Jackson Russell, Bro. Nicklas Wilson, Bro. Clarke Trippe, Bro. Thomas Gibbs Sr., and known by all, Sister Ardella Brooks (class leader). May the fruits of their labor continue through us with God’s love and guidance.
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