| Our History |
More than 50 years ago, the Elder James Roosevelt Carter and his wife,
Catherine Carter, obeyed God's call and migrated from Chester
Pennsylvania to Baltimore, Maryland. Arriving in the city in 1926 with little
money and no friends, Elder and Sister Carter did not know how nor where
to start the ministry. Therefore, they began to have services on the street
corners of Baltimore City. During this period, they suffered many hardships but
they never quit. On many occasions, the late Bishop Cornelius Range would send
them money to buy food and pay for place to rest his friend and co-laborer in
the Gospel.
In the late 1930's, Elder Carter tried to establish a church on West Fayette Street and at many other locations in the city, but each time he failed. In 1940, the Lord blessed him with a little building at 1006 W. Lexington Street, which he named " Church Of God In Christ # 7". A devoted little group, under leading and guidance of God and Pastor Carter, met there regularly for prayer and praise services. As a result of these meetings, the church began to grow.
In 1944, the church became incorporated, and in 1955 was renamed "Garden Of Prayer Church Of God In Christ." The church was blessed with a weekly radio broadcast and many members were added to the church and healed through Pastor Carter's radio outreach and healing ministry.
Pastor Carter, having been a man of prayer with ambition and great faith, began searching for a larger place of worship for his congregation. In late 1955, the Spirit of the Lord led him to a building 745 West Fayette Street, and per God's instructions, Elder Carter placed his right hand on the building and prayed. With less than $500 in the treasury, the Trustees of the church wrote the Beechfield Methodist Church Trustee Board indicating an interest in purchasing the building. The proposal indicated the congregation's willingness to pay $100 weekly for a period of time, and thereafter $ 355 per month. The proposal was accepted, and on January 29, 1956, the congregation marched from 1006 West Lexington Street to the new location at 745 West Fayette Street, at which time, the name of the church was changed to "Carter's Temple Church Of God In Christ." The church soon became known by many as the Holy Ghost headquarters for healing of the body and soul.
In May 1972, the mortgage was burned. In addition, after many years of labor, on September 21, 1973, God summoned Dr. Carter from labor to reward.
Shortly thereafter, Elder James Norris was designated pastor of Carter's Temple Church. His tenure as spiritual leader was brief, and in late 1976, announced to the congregation that he was leaving Carter's Temple to establish another church. During his pastorate, and the months following his departure, Mother Catherine Carter acted as administrator.
Before the end of 1976, the membership has fallen to seven faithful members. These persons continued to believe God and kept offering up sincere prayer for direction.
In November 1976, the late Bishop Theodore R. Young, Jurisdictional Prelate of Maryland, appointed Elder Frank J. Ellis as pastor of the church, and on January 2, 1977, Elder Ellis came to Carter's Temple Church as its third pastor. Under his dynamic leadership, and in less than six months, things began to happen. In February 1977, the name was again changed to " Carter Memorial Church of God in Christ, " in honor and memory of its founder.
Elder Frank Ellis, after assuming the pastorate of the church, began major renovations and improvements to the church building that was in need major repair. With only a few faithful members and limited resources, the congregation, within a few weeks, was able to move from the downstairs chapel to the main sanctuary upstairs.
Under Pastor Ellis' leadership, the membership began to grow and some of the members who had left during the pastoral transition period began to return.
In early 1989, Elder Carl A. Pierce, Sr. relocated to Baltimore from Texas and united with Carter Memorial Church. He became an instrumental vessel for the Master’s use at Carter and was diligent in his commitment to the church and its leadership. He was an armor bearer to Bishop Ellis and served in various capacities of leadership in the church, and district.
On July 2, 1994, Elder Pierce was appointed assistant pastor and later named the next pastor of the church by Bishop Ellis. In 1999, Bishop Ellis health began to decline, and during this season, Elder Pierce assumed the responsibility of the church encompassing the vision of its leader. The church continued to grow and the financial, business and spiritual impetus of the church remained strong.
On June 27, 2000, Bishop Ellis went home to be with the Lord leaving the church structurally and organizationally sound. Realizing the will of God and desiring to yield no place to the enemy, Mother Patricia Ellis along with the Board of Trustees requested that at the final home-going celebration of Bishop Ellis, Elder Pierce be bestowed the mantle of leadership. Their request was honored, and Elder Carl A. Pierce, Sr. was officially appointed and installed pastor by the Bishop David Washington Spann, Sr., Jurisdictional Prelate of Greater Maryland First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction.
Today, Carter Memorial Church enjoys the prestige of one of Baltimore's major churches of our denomination. The beauty of our church complex along with the various ministries offered, stands as a beacon light and ray of hope for Baltimore and the surrounding areas.