Churches & Cemeteries . Southern MD
St. Mary's County, Maryland . 25 December 2004
Elvert Xavier Barnes Architectural & Industrial Photography
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In October of 1945, African Americans of the Baptist denomination did not have a place of worship in Lexington Park, Maryland.  Mrs. Martha Elizabeth Hickenbotom, a physically chanllenged individual, guided by the Holy Spirit organized a Prayer Band in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Colson. when
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At this particular time, in the history of the Prayer Band, African Americans lived in a segrated neighborhood.  Whites lived in the Flat Tops near Patuxent River Naval Air Station's main gate.  And the 'coloreds' lived in Carver Heights which was two miles from the main gate.

In 1946, a club called the "Willing Workers" organized to aid the sick and the less fortunate.  This organized club was the first to conduct missionary work in the Carver Heights community.  On April 19. 1947, at the suggestion of Brother Ivory Moore they purchased one acre of land for ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS.  It is upon that rock the faithful members of the Prayer Band began building the First Missionary Baptist Church of Carver Heights, St. Mary's County.
And though time may have changed whenever I revisit Southern Maryland as I did on Christmas Day 2004 it is almost as if, in some cases, that I've stepped back in time.  Born 5 October 1953 when I grew up in the lower part of St. Mary's County in the 50's and 60's St. Michaels Catholic Church and School located in Ridge Maryland across from Yolks Store was where whites congregated and were educated.  Cardinal Gibbons Institute which was associated with St, Peter Claver Catholic Church is where blacks including myself would assimilate.

Both have always had outstanding reputations for serving their communities.  However, I do remember that my grandmother as well as the various priests would often comment that the Archdiocese was always quicker to respond to the needs and wishes of St. Michaels long before they'd attend to those of St. Peter.  If at all.  Now a memorial park reportedly due to financial difficulties Cardinal Gibbons would close in 1972 as would many previously self-owned and self-sufficient black businesses and institutions with the onset of integration.

And as I now reflect on the past having always been one to practice integration and in the process travel throughout the country as a 51 year old black man I, therefore, have a keen understanding of the impact that integration has had not only on 'communities of color' in St. Mary's County but throughout the world.
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