Ebenezer Baptist Church celebrates 137th

Ebenezer Baptist Church celebrated its 137th Anniversary with guest speaker Rabbi Peter Berg from The Temple. (Photo taken from Ebenezer Baptist Church’s Facebook page)

Ebenezer Baptist Church commemorated its 137th Church Anniversary with Rabbi Pete Berge, Senior Rabbi of The Temple, as their guest speaker on Sunday, March 19.

The church’s Facebook page encouraged its members to share the pictures they got from any time in their history. They noted that they would showcase these photos during the worship service.

About Rabbi Peter Berge

The Temple website revealed that Berg became the fifth senior rabbi of the Temple in 1895. They said that as a spiritual leader, Berg loves to serve a diverse and multi-generational congregation.

In addition, they said that he is dedicated to Jewish learning and meaningful worship. Besides, he advocates for social transformation, as stated on the website.

According to the website, Berg served as a rabbi of Temple Beth Or in Washington Township, New Jersey, and was an Associate Rabbi of Temple Emanuel-El in Dallas, Texas, before he came to The Temple.

Moreover, they mentioned that he worked in Congregation Kol Ami in White Plaines, New York as a rabbinic intern. As stated on the website, he became the Youth Director at Beth El Hebrew Congregation in Alexandria, Virginia.

Active Advocator

Additionally, the website emphasized that Berg has spent significant time collaborating with advocacy agencies on issues such as poverty and homelessness. They said that he works with groups fighting against criminal justice reform and the human trafficking of minors.

Besides, they noted that Berg supports campaigns for religious freedom, ending mass incarceration, gun safety, and hate crimes. He is also involved in advocacies on the environment, combatting antisemitism and empowering the U.S.-Israel connection.

More importantly, the website highlighted that Berg serves on the Hebrew Union Colleger-Jewish Institute of Religion Board.

Origin of “Sweet Auburn”

The Ebenezer Baptist Church emphasized that the church in Atlanta, Georgia, has been a spiritual shelter to many “Sweet Auburn” community residents throughout its long history.

According to the church’s website, thirteen faithful individuals pioneered Ebenezer in 1886. As revealed on the website, Rev. John Parker was the first pastor at the former site on Airline Street from 1886 to 1894.

Moreover, they noted that Rev. Adam Daniel Williams pastored the church on March 14, 1894. They said that the church only had seventeen members during his first year. Then, he worked hard to add nearly 65 members to the church.

In addition, the website mentioned that Williams liquidated the mortgage and bought land near downtown Atlanta on McGruder Street. They built the new church building.

The church's website pointed out that due to the members' continued growth, they had to buy the Fifth Church on Bell and Gilmer Streets in 1900 to accommodate the growing congregation.

They had temporary services in the basement of Auburn Avenue sites and a storefront at 444 Edgewood in 1918. Then they mentioned that the construction was completed in 1922, as stated on the website.

As further said, the historic church had experienced several renovations, including adding the Education Building adjacent to the church in 1956.