Also once known as the Richard Asbury Methodist Church. Originally, a predominantly white congregation, I believe the current congregation is mostly, if not all, African American.
One of only two remaining churches in Queen Anne's County, MD to have a separate entrance for slaves. This side entrance went directly to the stairs that led up to the slave gallery.
At first I thought that the stairs to the slaves entrance was no longer standing (see attached photos: the side entrance is a good 3-4 feet off the ground), but I have since read accounts that the practice was for the enslaved folks to transition directly from the carriage to the entrance.
I am utterly fascinated that these bits of history still remain on our landscape.
Hi,
ReplyDeleteThis church does not currently have an active congregation. It is actually owned by my family who purchased and restored it in the 1980's as it was in disrepair. We use it for family reunions and special services. Both of my great-grandfathers on my mother's side were preachers here in the late 1800's. Feel free to email me with any questions.
Paula Larrimore
fishing4@goeaston.net
I was wondering if your family still owns this church?
DeleteIs this church for sale
DeleteYep, the Covington Preachers
DeleteHi, Paula! What are the directions to find the church? I'd love to see it! Ellen
DeleteMarch 23, 2018
ReplyDeleteAre you still actively sharing these historical roadside churches? I find myself driving the scenic byways between The Bay Bridge and "Slower Lower Delaware". It didn't take long before I was stopping at all of the little white chapels we see dotting the area. Now I am collecting information and photos. The fun is in the hunt! I found 4 that were new to me just yesterday! I would enjoy some conversation after looking over your 'blog entries.
Mike Walker -- wirelessmic@comcast.net
Do you know what happened to the records of this church? My greatgrandparents, David Carter and Mary L Harris, were married in this church in 1891.
ReplyDeleteThe Richard Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church was a Black congregation. The Starr Methodist Episcopal Church was a white congregation. 2 entirely separate churches since about 1845 when the M.E. General Conference separated its Black members from its white members in a sort of "church within the Church. The white church closed in the 1960s; the Black church (which never had a deed for the land on which their church was built across the street, had their church building taken away from them at about that time. So the white church (Old Starr MEC) trustees let the Black church (Richard Asbury MEC) members worship in their church building. in the late 1980s the Black Richard Asbury UMC closed, too & the Old Starr Church building was purchased by an elected private Board of Trustees from the United Methodist Annual Conference. PROBABLY whatever extant Starr MEC records exist in 2021 are at the Wye Mills United Methodist Church or copies may be at the Peninsula-Delaware Annual Conference Archives at Barratt's Chapel, Frederica, Delaware. I have no real idea where they Black Methodist records are after 35+/- years---perhaps in Centreville, Md because Richard Asbury MEC was once part of the Centreville-Cordova ME Charge appointment.
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to post an update that this church is still in the care and custody of "Old Starr Church INC" which is a family trust of the descendants of Eddie Covington who was a preacher here (and at several other small QAC churches) in the early 1900's. My grandmother (Dolly Taylor 94) remembers being brought here by horse and buggy each week for her Dad (my great-grandfather) to preach.
ReplyDeleteAs mentioned above, in the 1960's when the congregation (white) at Old Starr Church had dwindled, and the other congregation (black) in Starr had lost their church house (used to be on Neighbors road), the congregants of Old Starr Church gave custody over so they could still have a place to worship. When their congregation (black) dwindled in the 1990's, the members of the prior Old Starr Church congregation (mostly of the Covington family) purchased back the property both from the black congregation as well as the Methodist council (there is a great story here about a last minute finding of the deed from the 1800's at the QAC courthouse to facilitate this) and in 1997 the church was repaired and refurbished.
It now hosts 3 services throughout the year:
First Sunday in August is a family reunion of the Reed/Covington families (this date may change in future years)
First Sunday in October is an Old Starr Church Homecoming service which is open to the community and especially those (few remaining) members who attended here in the early 1900's.
First Sunday in December is a candle-lit (with some electric light : ) Christmas Caroling service in the evening. This service is open to the public and is followed (as are all 3 services) by a potluck dinner in the church hall behind the main building.
www.oldstarrchurch.com has just been purchased and will hopefully be populated (at some point) with the history of the church and other information.
I understand there is a Christmas service in this lovely old church. How do I get information or tickets to attend? My 90 year old cousin lives on Kent Island and has always wanted to attend. Thank you for any information you can provide.
ReplyDeleteBlessings
Trace.roes51@gmail.com
I am looking for info on the church. Do the Covingtons still own?
ReplyDeleteYou can reach out to info@oldstarrchurch.com for more information. As a quick summary it is owned by a group of trustees, some of whom are descendants of the Covington's.
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