News and Views

If you’ve ever taken a tour of the Mother Church of Methodism, Lovely Lane UMC, in Baltimore, then you know that one of the highlights is the collection of memorial bronze plaques that adorn the walls of the lofty domed sanctuary. These plaques honor many of the pioneers of the denomination: Francis Asbury, the first bishop; Robert Strawbridge, the first circuit rider; William Waters and Richard Owings, the first American-born local and traveling preachers; and many others along with war memorials and other historic people and events. Some of these plaques were installed with the hope of bringing together the divided branches of Methodism that existed at the time of the building’s 1884 construction.

But the congregation of Lovely Lane has long been conscious of the fact that none of the plaques specifically honor the African-American pioneers of the faith. So now, the trustees of Lovely Lane have decided to add a new plaque for the first time since the Vietnam War. The new memorial will honor Harry Hosier – known in his own day as “Black Harry.”

Harry was a frequent traveling companion of Francis Asbury, and it is reported that Asbury greatly desired to preach with Harry as Hosier’s presence always attracted a bigger crowd than the bishop alone. Hosier was described by contemporaries as “the greatest preacher in America.” Asbury originally imagined that Hosier would preach to the African-American populace. But his testimony was so powerful and engaging that people of all races and backgrounds would turn out to hear him. Harry was one of the preachers present at the Christmas Conference at Lovely Lane Chapel in 1784 at which the Methodist Episcopal Church was founded in America, and he is depicted in the famous 1866 print of that event by Thomas Coke Ruckle.

The design work for the piece has been completed. Fundraising began in September and the congregation hopes to raise the funds for the plaque by the end of 2024. There will be an unveiling event at a date yet to be determined, but which will be publicized in the e-Connection.

Lovely Lane’s current building is the Centennial Monument to the Christmas Conference, and is a Historic Site of the UMC as well as a National Register of Historic Sites building. Tours for individuals or confirmation classes are available every Sunday after worship, or by appointment with the church office or museum office. Visit https://lovelylane.net.