Historic African Methodist Episcopal Church in Catonsville Suffers Significant Damage in Fire

The Mt. Gilboa African Methodist Episcopal Church in Catonsville suffered significant damage in a fire that broke out on Monday. Firefighters were dispatched to the historic building on Westchester Avenue around 11:45 a.m., according to the Baltimore County Fire Department. The incident has raised concerns about the preservation of a landmark that holds deep historical and spiritual significance for the community.

Neighbors were among the first to notice the smoke. Betty Stewart, a long-time member of the congregation, received a call from Jay Patel, owner of the Country Corner Store, just a few hundred feet away. Patel reported seeing smoke coming from the church windows and initially thought it might be something as simple as burning leaves. However, the situation quickly escalated, prompting a large response from fire crews.

The church, established in 1859 by free Black people, was built to replace an earlier log chapel. It is recognized as the oldest active African American congregation in Baltimore County, with a history that predates the current building. Reverend Garland Owens Sr. emphasized the church’s role as a cornerstone of the community, noting that its significance lies not only in its physical structure but in the faith and service of its people.

Owens expressed the congregation’s determination to rebuild, stating that the church’s purpose extends beyond its walls. “Our work and our call to serve is more than what the building represents,” he said. “It’s the heart and soul of the people who have built the relevance of that church and what it means to God and to the people in the community.”

Members of the congregation, like Stewart, have expressed faith in the community’s ability to recover. Stewart reflected on the emotional impact of the fire, saying, “When I walked up there and looked in the windows, first thing I thought, ‘Lord, how are we going to come back from this?’ But I’m a very spiritual person and I said, ‘Well, you know, faith. It takes a lot of faith to step out on nothing and believe something is there.'”

Fire investigators are still determining the cause of the fire, but preliminary findings suggest it was accidental. Officials have not indicated any foul play. The community remains focused on the path forward, drawing strength from their shared faith and commitment to rebuilding.

Source: Read the original report