CHURCH HISTORY

Robinson African Episcopal Church was founded in the year of 1881, in Grasonville, Maryland (previously known as Piney Neck, Maryland) by Brother Fredrick Robinson, the first local Pastor for whom the church was named.

In 1881, Rev. Heath, the first ordained Pastor of Robinson, built the first church edifice and moved the congregation from the home of Rev. Robinson into their first building. The Ark then stood on the property of Bro. William T. Brown, Sr.. Since the building of the first church, Robinson has undergone three additional transformations. In 1891, the second church, which was known as the Round Top Hall, was built under the leadership of Rev. A. A. Murray, located in the same area that Robinson stands today.

In 1913, Rev. Enoch T. Addison built the third church and gave it the name, “Robinson” after the founder of the church. Under the guidance of Norman E. Blackston in 1985, Robinson African Methodist Episcopal Church was rebuilt, changing the seating capacity from one hundred twenty to over four hundred.

From the inception of Robinson A.M.E. Church in 1881 to this present time, thirty-eight (38) pastors have been appointed, each leaving their own legacy behind. Following Rev. Heath (1882) who formed the first Trustee and Steward board of the church were, Rev. Thomas (1883) and Rev. Jones (1884), who added on to the church and laid the Cornerstone on September 21 of the same year. In 1887, the Rev. C. N. Young was appointed and is noted for forming the first Sunday School and church-choir at Robinson.

Rev. F.S. Dennis (1889) organized a school at Robinson. In 1891, Rev. A.A. Murray received a donation of land from Bro. Dorm Robinson and his wife (Lizzie) who built the second church structure and added a parsonage. Rev. William Williamson (1893), Rev. J.K. Henry (1894-1896), Rev. Goldsboro (1896) and Rev. Morton (1897) continued the upkeep. In 1898, Rev. H.M. Brown paid off the mortgage, remodeled and beautified the church while taking in 38 new members.

During the next several years, Robinson A.M.E. Church was blessed by the leadership of the following Pastors: Rev. J.B. Banks, Rev. J.M. Waters, Rev. Londrick, Rev. Chew and Rev. Nicholson. In 1913, Rev. Enoch T. Addison built the third structure costing $2,800; was able to pay almost half of that amount on the mortgage. Rev. J.R. Nelson was appointed in 1916. The following year 1917, Rev. Curtis was appointed, he passed a month after his appointment to Robinson. Rev. Boundary was appointed (1917-1918). Rev. Boston, who together with his wife, Mrs. Boston, saved the church from receivership and organized the Mamie Bouldin Missionary Society (still thriving today).

Also noted are Rev. Standsbury, Rev. McGowan, Rev. Easton, Rev. Rosier, Rev. Henry, Rev. Williams, Rev. Penn, Rev. Clarence Hayman. Rev. Sylvester T. Burris formed a 20 voice choir, purchased a bus and traveled. Other pastors were Rev. Beard and Rev. Richard Tankerson.

From 1968 to 1972, Rev. Jesse Brown, Jr. formed a 35 voice Gospel choir which recorded a record. Rev. Brown built a new kitchen, a dining hall, installed bathrooms, created offices and two classrooms onto the church. (The old parsonage was located in the space of the new kitchen and dining area). In 1970, the first Head-Start Program in Queen Anne County began at Robinson A.M.E. Church. Sis. Angela Wheeler was one of the first students in the Head Start Program.

In April 1972, Rev. Howard Camper was appointed and remained for only a few months. Shortly afterwards, Rev. Norman E. Blackston Sr. then led Robinson for thirty-four years. Under his leadership, Rev. Blackston was able to pay off both the old and new mortgages (that was acquired during the building of the fourth church structure), purchase a new bus, a sound system, an organ and a piano. During this time, the first Sunday School Convention parade was formed by Rebecca Turner, former Sunday School Superintendent.

The dedication of the new church improvements took place at Robinson A.M.E. in March, 1985 with the Bishop of the Second Episcopal District, Rev. John Hurst Adams. These improvements were recorded in the 169 th Session of the Baltimore Annual Conference in April, 1985, hosted by Bethel A.M.E. Church - Cambridge, Md., Rev. Frank West, Pastor. On September 29, 1985, the cornerstone was laid for the new improvements.

During Rev. Blackston’s appointment, fourteen ministers answered their call, six of whom pastored churches; Bishop Robert M. Pritchett, Jr. of Faith Unity Ministries (Chestertown, Md.), founder and pastor, Rev. Lee P. Washington of Reid Temple A.M.E. (Glendale, MD) recently retired pastor, Rev. Alan Gould of Allen Chapel A.M.E. ( Silver Spring, MD), Rev. Agnes Claggett of Mount Pisgah Holiness Church (Easton, MD), retired, Rev. Randolph Fitchett Jr., currently of Bethel A.M.E. Church (Cambridge, MD) and Rev. Deborah Jones, former pastor of Boardley Chapel and Golts Chapel (closed). Other ministers to come under Rev. Blackston’s leadership is Rev. Raye Wilson, Rev. Lillian Curtis (d.) (also licensed missionary), Rev. Shirley Gould, Rev. Marlene Griffin, Rev. Helen Wright, Rev. Theodore Felton(d.), Rev. Mable Ewell (d.) and Rev. Mary Little (d.)

In April 2006, Rev. Blackston retired, and Rev. Charles M. Robinson was appointed. Under his leadership, the church was presented with modern renovations to the sanctuary, a new sound system, kitchen equipment, a handicap accessible ramp, paved parking lots and another church bus. In March 2007, Presiding Prelate Adam Jefferson Richardson dedicated the newly modernized Robinson A.M.E. Church. In September 2007, under the guidance of Presiding Elder Ernest Montague, Robinson hosted the Eastern District Conference and added another minister to its roll, Rev. Leroy Fitchett.

At the closing of the 195 th Session of the Baltimore Annual Conference in April 2011, Bishop A. J. Richardson appointed Rev. Randolph Fitchett, Jr. as the Pastor of Robinson A.M.E. Church. Having returned home, he continued to carry on the rich, spiritual legacy of those that came, are gone and grew to love.

As this legacy forged on, Rev. Rashi Imel Pinckney was appointed in 2016. He created and initiated the Men’s and Women’s Bible study, and the Cemetery Restoration Fund. After becoming very ill, Rev. Rashi Pinckney, a man with unwavering faith and love for the Lord, retired from his pastorship at the 205th Baltimore Annual Conference in April of 2021. Through the most challenging portion of his rehabilitation, he always remained positive and thankful to God for his life. Robinson A.M.E. sorrowfully mourned the passing of their pastor, Rev. Rashi I. Pinckney on June twenty-third, 2021.

A quarantine was instituted by our government on March 16, 2020 due to a worldwide COVID-19 pandemic causing all churches to close and worship virtually or conference call. In the 205 th Baltimore Annual Conference in April 2021, Robinson wasn’t assigned a pastor immediately and Presiding Elder Cordell Hunter was the interim pastor until a new pastor was appointed.

Later in April at the Western North Carolina Conference, Bishop James Levert Davis transferred and appointed the Rev. Barrington Bernard Ross as pastor of Robinson AME Church. Rev. Ross has injected a very positive outlook, in and about the church, since being introduced to the charge. God has blessed him to comfort the congregation after the loss of their former pastor, reorganizing Robinson for re-entry into face-to-face worship, and energizing the membership toward the legacy that others have laid previously.

Respectfully noted are the following Presiding Elders: Rev. Handy, Rev. William Arnold, Rev. J.T. Morris, Rev. Charles H. Bourne, Rev. John H. Collett, Rev. John T. Jennifer, Rev. Borge, Rev. P. J. Jordan, Rev. C. Nelson, Rev. Collins. Rev. William Mosely, Rev. Edward C. Wilson, Rev. Ernest L. Montague, and Rev. Cordell E. Hunter. Respectfully noted are the following Bishops: Baber, Green, Murph, Adams, Brookins, James, Anderson, Richardson, DeVeaux, and Davis.

In the year of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ 2021, Robinson AME Grasonville is celebrating 140 years of African Methodism. The descendants of Rev. Fredrick Robinsoncontinues the legacy that he began many, many years ago.