SPECIAL DEDICATION CEREMONY
IN HONOR OF CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY LEADER
Mrs. Patricia Thomas |
Rev. and Mrs. Thomas as sign
was being unveiled and
presented to Mrs. Thomas |
BALTIMORE, MD- The Sankofa Community Development Corporation
(SCDC) conducted the unveiling and dedication of the
Patricia Grace Thomas Inn and Museum at their future
Headquarters located at 5002 Frederick Ave. in Baltimore
City.
The Inn and Museum, which is named after the wife of
the New Psalmist Baptist church Pastor Dr. Walter Scott
Thomas was dedicated at the site by church officials
on November 23, 2000 following Thanksgiving day services.
The ceremony began with opening comments and welcome
by the Chairman and CEO of Sankofa, Edward Smith, Jr.
followed by an opening prayer by Dr. Thomas. The sign
that currently sits out in front of the house was unveiled
to Mrs. Patricia Thomas and a framed picture of the
house was presented to her.
Mrs. Thomas expressed her thanks and gave words of
wisdom and encouragement to the executive board.
Pastor Thomas after which Chairman Smith gave closing
remarks consecrated the house and grounds. In his closing
remarks Mr. Smith announced that executive board member
Rosalind Ambrose will serve as site project director
for all restoration, operational and historical preservation
for the structure.
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Future Inn and CDC Headquarters
Over 200 members of the 7,000-member congregation,
along with local neighborhood leaders attended the ceremony.
New Psalmist Baptist Church has been apart of the Uplands/Greater
Edmondson Community since 1996 and recently purchased
26 acres on which the Inn and Museum will reside.
Prior to the 1918 annexation to Baltimore City the
property known as "Athol" had historical significance
and sits along the Frederick Turnpike, one of Maryland's
designated historic districts. The structure and surrounding
grounds have a history dating back to 1769 and holds
a place in the colonial and commercial history of Catonsville,
Maryland (Baltimore County). The SCDC currently have
made application to register the property on the National
Register of Historic Places.
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Dedicated Sign
The property additionally has significance to the African
American community since hundreds of slaves were once
apart of the Athol property and now are the owners.
Once renovations have occurred, the property will house
a bed and breakfast Inn, historical material about the
site, Executive offices of the CDC and an archives ministry
of the 102-year-old church. |
