Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal Cemetery in Malvern, Pennsylvania

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Get directions 97 North Bacton Hill Rd
Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355 United States

Coordinates: 40.05468, -75.58835
Cemetery ID:

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On June 6th, 1831, James Malin deeded an almost-½-acre parcel to trustees Samuel Davis, Ishmael Wells, and Charles Kimble for the nominal sum of $1 for the erection of a meeting house for the African Methodist Episcopal Church. A small stone meetinghouse was erected and later expanded to the footprint that is seen today. Due to its location on Bacton Hill overlooking the Great Valley, the congregation is sometimes referred to as "Deep Valley," "Bacton A.M.E.," and "Valley Hill A.M.E."

The congregation dwindled towards the end of the 19th century as many of its members, including the Reason and Trowery families, moved in and closer to Malvern. A new church was organized in 1893 in the borough in the hall owned by Lewis Reeves. Then, in 1900, moved to hall over barbershop of Ira Baker. The Church then purchased a lot in 1903; a foundation was built and cornerstone laid but church had to sell out for planned, but never built, Darby Creek Low Grade Freight Line of the Pennsylvania Railroad. A new lot was purchased and Saint Paul's A.M.E. Church was officially established. With the establishment of Saint Paul's, Ebenezer was abandoned.

Ebenezer lies in ruins today, and the site is the subject of intense interest and preservation efforts are ongoing. The cemetery surrounding the church is notable for two of its preachers interred there, the Reverends James Bentley and Shedrick Blackson.