Fairmount Methodist Episcopal Church
Fairmount, MD

Tucked away in the "wonderland" community of Fairmount, is an inactive white frame church that was organized in 1860, commonly known as Centennial Methodist Episcopal Church. Legend has it that the white community permitted a black congregation to use it for worship purposes. It was purchased by the black community in 1884 and was named "Centennial." The cornerstone has not been located.

It is a two level structure - a "three bay by four bay" building, historically large for the time and population. Architectural records indicated that "The Centennial ME Church built in 1884 and remodeled in 1910, is an anomaly for rural black congregations in Somerset County." It has been listed by the Maryland Historical Trust in the National Register of Historic Places and was entered in the NRHP on September 13, 1993 as a "contributor to the significance of the upper Fairmount Historic District."

The noted Rev. C. A. Tindley preached at the church at one time and was a teacher in the school according to school records dated 1895. The school occupied the lower level, and the sanctuary occupied the upper. Before 1880 the church was known as the "Colored Church," a common practice that designated locations frequented by African Americans. The church was deactivated and closed in June 1999, and is now under the general supervision of interested citizens in the community and family members who were historically affiliated with the church.

For additional information:
Shae Waters
800 Hanson Street, Salisbury, MD 21801
443-366-8732

Somerset County
Geneology Project

Somerset County
Historical Society Handley's Eastern Shore
Genealogy Project

Lower Delmarva Genealogical Society

Lower Delmarva Genealogical Society

Student Guide to Delmarva History, SSU

Edward H. Nabb Research Center