POTOMAC, Md. (7News) – Built by hand by church members between 1915 and 1924, A. M. E. Scotland’s Zion, along Seven Locks Road in Scotland’s network of Potomac, Maryland, half the lives of generations of predominantly black parishioners.
The assets were originally purchased through freed black slaves.
Today, this historic Maryland state site is preserved – a $10 million fundraising crusade is underway to rehabilitate this prominent place of worship.
“This church was built on this site when Seven Locks Road wasn’t paved,” said Jimmy Kemp, one of the participants in Churchill High School’s football fundraiser served as a catalyst. “Scotland has been part of Churchill’s football centre. “
Kemp, the son of former NFL quarterback and Congressman Jack Kemp, a star player for the Bulldogs, whose existing team played in the Northwest on Thursday night.
At half-time, Kemp and two other legendary Churchill graduates, Eric Smith and Paul Palmer, were honoured for their passionate efforts to mobilise for the rehabilitation of Scotland, A. M. E.
Smith, who was once a star quarterback at Churchill, went on to play basketball at Georgetown. Palmer, a famous running back for the Bulldogs, an All-American at Temple University. Or they grew up in this part of the Potomac.
“It’s fantastic to come home for a cause bigger than our own memories,” Kemp said.
One of the reasons millions are needed: The land around the church is flooding, so infrastructure adjustments are needed.
The hope, once the structure is complete, is to open in September 2024, on the occasion of the church’s centennial. Faith teams up to bring Scotland back to its rightful position along the Seven Locks Road.
“The network is galvanized and we are all being asked to do our part and rebuild this monument,” Kemp concluded.
To learn more about the history and rebuilding of Scotland, A. M. E. Church of Zion, read the document below.
Click to view the PDF file.
To receive more information on how you can make a contribution to the church’s rebuilding fund, click here.