Lost in time, Ridgley Church holds secrets of faith and community. The church’s story is deeply intertwined with the history of Prince George’s County. Are you ready to uncover the layers of this landmark?
Ridgley Church began as a vision in the hearts of Dr. Herbert J. Russell and Dr. Herldleen Russell. They founded Ridgley Ministries. In 1977, they sought a ministry and God directed them. After graduating from Moody Bible Institute in 1978, they received a divine call. God instructed them to move from Illinois to Maryland. After some reluctance, Dr. Herbert J. Russell obeyed God’s calling. God reminded him of Abraham when he felt too old to move.
The move from Illinois to Maryland led to Ridgley Ministries’ birth. Founded in 1980, its first home was a small church on Central Avenue in Capitol Heights. Previously, it was Ridgley Methodist. It is now an African American historical landmark. Within a year, the church was full. Ridgley quickly grew. After nine years, the ministry needed a larger space.
God told the founders that Ridgley must be a beacon in a dark world. He instructed them to look out over the land He would provide. Soon, land owned by an elderly woman in Westphalia became available. She refused to sell to anyone else, except Dr. Russell. In 1989, a new building for Ridgley Ministries was erected on almost five acres of land. It was located at 9235 D’Arcy Road, Upper Marlboro, MD. Then began the ministry to reach out to the surrounding communities. God’s provision confirmed His favor.
For 37 years, Ridgley Ministries faithfully served the community. Its foundation rested on holiness and obedience to God’s Word. Christian love and biblical giving were key. Many pastors were trained and started their own ministries. Souls found Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Whole families were converted and addictions were broken. Marriages were restored. Ridgley showed Christ’s love to the incarcerated, immobile, and those in need. This continues today.
Now, Ridgley Ministries is led by Elder Patrick L. Russell. He is a son of the church and the youngest son of Drs. Herbert and Herldleen Russell. His wife, Evangelist Tekesha Russell, serves as the First Lady.
Ridgley Ministries is associated with the Churches of God in Christ. Bishop Charles Harrison Mason founded COGIC in 1897. It is one of the largest predominantly black denominations in the United States. It has over six million members. The national headquarters is in Memphis, TN. The state headquarters is in Maryland.
Originally constructed in 1921, the Ridgley Methodist Episcopal Church is a one-story frame building. It stands on the north side of Central Avenue in Landover, Maryland. The church was founded in 1871 and its cemetery was established in 1892. It was the spiritual and social hub for the rural African American farming community of Ridgley.
In the late 1980s, the church was moved due to Central Avenue’s widening. It was renovated. The cemetery contains about 20 hand-carved gravestones. These stones date from the 1910s to the 1940s. Today, it is home to New Rock Church.
Consider the families who gathered here. Think of the sermons preached and the hymns sung. Ridgley Church stands as a testament to faith, resilience, and community. It is a place where history and spirituality intertwine.