March Open House at the Odenton Heritage Society

On Sunday, March 1st from 1 to 4 PM we invite the public to an open house showcasing St. John AME Zion Church in Wilsontown, located south of Odenton. St. John, a rural church of the 1870s and a vibrant congregation today, is not only a place of worship; it became the heart of an African American community initially shaped by emancipation and freedom. Quakers transferred a former meeting house to African Americans to serve as their church building, enabling the two groups to mingle and share adjoining cemeteries. The present church was built in 1942 following wartime evacuation for the expansion of Fort Meade. Visitors also can enjoy engaging exhibits about Odenton’s railroads, homes, churches, and schools.

Admission and tours are free. The Odenton Heritage Society Historical Center and Museum is located at 1367 Odenton Road. Call 301-928-6918 for more information. We hope to see you there!