our heritage
Ebenezer Baptist Church was born in 1877 14 years after the Emancipation Proclamation. A small group of believers came together for the purpose of spiritual growth development and security. Their faith in God enabled them to begin prayer meetings in homes, with the aid of the Holy Spirit this small group swiftly grew and a location was rented on the corner of South Davidson and East 3 rd street in Charlotte , NC.
After almost a year of worshipping and praying together Rev. Zack Houghton of Salisbury , NC was elected pastor. He brought spiritual organization to this group of believers called Second Baptist Church with the name later being changed to Ebenezer Baptist Church.
In 1879 a lot was purchased for the erecting of the first sanctuary for Ebenezer Baptist Church , which was a major accomplishment for any African American congregation during this era. Rev. Houghton went to be with the Lord in 1889 and the following eleven ministers succeeded him:
Listing of the Ministers and length of tenure at Ebenezer:
1878 - 1889 Rev. Zack Haughton
1889 – 1889 Rev. J.B.K. Butler
1891 – 1893 Rev. Frank Jones
1893 – 1898 Rev. C.L. Davis
1898 – 1905 Rev. Sidney H. Witherspoon
1905 – 1911 Rev. J.R. Cozart
1911 – 1917 Dr. S.T. Eldridge
1917 – 1920 Dr. J.W. Faulk
1920 – 1925 Dr. David B. Mdodonna
1925 – 1946 Dr. H.M. Moore
1947 – 1975 Dr. A. Jackson
1976 – 1997 Dr. Alan B. Sutton, Sr.
1997 – Current Dr. Leonzo D. Lynch
*Ebenezer has survived two devastating fires in 1949 and 1990 with both sanctuaries being totally destroyed.