By AFRO Staff
Metropolitan United Methodist Church (MUMC) celebrated its 200th anniversary as a historically Black institution in Baltimore on Sept. 13 at Forum Caterers.
Established in the early 19th century, the church came into being at a time when African Americans had to fight for both their physical and religious freedoms. Today, the church serves as one of the city’s most enduring symbols of faith, resilience and purpose. Over the years the church has experienced building and name changes.
Earl Graves, a member of the church and part of the banquet program committee, recounted the church’s early beginnings.
“The Metropolitan United Methodist Church began two centuries ago during slave times. Most freedmen and slaves, as the teachers of the gospel, held these meetings such as prayer or Bible study in secret at various homes in South Baltimore, because such gatherings of Black people were illegal,” Graves said.
According to a 1975 nomination form filed with the National Register of Historic Places, “in 1825 a West Indian Black man Truman Le Pratt held prayer meetings in his house…the other two trustees at that time were Basil Hall and Cyrus Moore.”
Soon, the meetings were too big for a small house.
Truman Le Pratt, also spelled Trueman Pratt, “got the idea about a church, and gave the first sum of money toward its construction. His wife was employed by the Moore family. George and Henry Moore owned or were agents for a lot of property in Baltimore,” according to the nomination form.
“Mrs. Truman approached her employer, Mr. Moore, who gave Mr. Pratt a piece of land to start his church ministry. This piece of land was on Orchard Street,” Graves said.
The Rev. Dr. Anthony Hunt Sr. (left) fellowships with Stephanie Pettaway at the Metropolitan United Methodist Church (Metropolitan UMC) celebration of 200 years of faith and service. Credit: All AFRO Photos/ Stephen Hopkins 
The Rev. Rodney Hudson, pastor of Metropolitan UMC, speaks to attendees that the bicentennial celebration. Credit: All AFRO Photos/ Stephen Hopkins 
Family is key at Metropolitan UMC, which was founded by former slave Truman Pratt, in 1825. Shown here celebrating the 200-year anniversary are Laverne Sykes (left); Shannon Reid; Brandon Armstrong; Danielle Tunstall Armstrong; Patricia Poindexter Tunstall; Stephanie Pettaway; Janet Carter Hadnott; Samuel Tunstall Jr. and Tammy Poindexter Mckoy. Credit: All AFRO Photos/ Stephen Hopkins 
Jackie Chester (left) and Brenda Carter sit chatting at the celebration of Metropolitan UMC’s 200-year legacy of service to the Baltimore community. Credit: All AFRO Photos/ Stephen Hopkins 
Fay Evans is resplendent in a sequined gown at the Metropolitan UMC’s bicentennial anniversary event, held on Sept. 13 at Forum Caterers. Credit: All AFRO Photos/ Stephen Hopkins 
A new generation of Metropolitan UMC worshippers celebrate its 200-year anniversary. Shown here here, Amber Scott (left) and Keasia Scott. Credit: All AFRO Photos/ Stephen Hopkins 
Earl Graves, a member of the banquet program committee, recounts the church’s beginnings on Sept. 13. Credit: All AFRO Photos/ Stephen Hopkins 
Elenor Brown (left), Emily Hinson and Bonita Mouldin celebrate Metropolitan UMC’s milestone anniversary. Credit: All AFRO Photos/ Stephen Hopkins
According to the history written on the nomination form by George J. Andreve, an assistant architectural historian with the Maryland Historical Trust in 1975, “during this period in history Blacks were given things without anything being recorded, or any legal transaction such as a deed. Truman Le Pratt’s wife asked her employer for some land to build a house of worship for her people. She was promised some land by the family. However, this was by word of mouth only.”
Graves described the laborious effort that went into building the original church, emphasizing the congregation’s determination and faith.
“The congregation began to build the church themselves. Most of the work was done at night. The men laid bricks while the women and children held candles for light. The congregation continued to meet in their homes until the church was finished. It took them 10 years to complete,” he said.
Though the church archivist has no record of an exact founding date– only the year of 1825– by March 4, 1928 the congregation had a new building. They marched together to their new location, which is now located at 1121 West Lanvale Street.
The Rev. Rodney Hudson, current senior pastor of Metropolitan UMC, said the church’s bicentennial is about more than just commemorating the past.
“Our church anniversary is not just about families coming together, raising money or talking about the good old days, but it is about lifting the name of Jesus,” Hudson said. “It is about sharing God’s love so that our community can encounter true transformation. This is the kind of transformation that impacts not only one person but future generations.”