The Eastern Shore Virginia & Maryland Baptist Association and its Ministries was organized in 1884. The first session was held in Huntington, Virginia near Cherrystone Wharf. The first name given to the Association was the Northampton Baptist Association. This included both Northampton and Accomack counties. Later, churches from Maryland applied for membership. After acceptance of these churches, namely Macedonia Baptist Church – Pocomoke City, Maryland and a Baptist church from Salisbury, Maryland, the name of the Association was changed to the Eastern Shore Virginia-Maryland Baptist Association.

The program for the Association, in those days, was the same as we have it today. As far back as 1928, the Allied Bodies of the Association were the Young People’s Convention, the Eastern Shore Baptist Sunday School Convention, and the Northampton Baptist Association, which were two separate bodies. It consisted of Moderators, Secretaries, a Treasurer, and Auditor and as far back as 1946, there was an Executive Minister. The Sunday School Convention and the Northampton Baptist Association met at different times and the Sunday School Convention lasted one week. During the course of business, the Sunday School merged with the Association, thereby becoming an Allied body of the Association, which brought about two changes in the Annual Session’s meeting days. There were no longer two Annual Sessions, but one Annual Session which lasted for four days with special days and hours allotted to each Allied body.

Not long after organizing the Association, it began to support the Tidewater Institute which was then located on the Eastern Shore. In these days, Tidewater Institute was the only High School on the Eastern Shore whereby Negroes could attend. Later the Tidewater Institute was eliminated. Then the Association and its Allied bodies began to support Virginia Union University, Richmond, Virginia and in later years also supported Virginia Seminary and College, Lynchburg, Virginia (now Virginia University at Lynchburg).

The Reverend Leonard Treherne was the Association’s first Moderator. Reverend Charles H. Morton, Pastor of the Union Baptist Church, Eastville became the Association’s second Moderator. Reverend D. J. Black, Pastor of the First Baptist Church, Capeville became the Association’s third Moderator. During his tenure, Dr. Summersville, Executive Secretary of the Lott Cary Foreign Mission appeared at the Annual Session to seek the support of the Association toward Foreign Mission. Reverend M. T. Boone, Pastor of the First Baptist Church, Mappsville, and the Mount Olive Baptist Church, Jenkins Bridge, became the Association’s fourth Moderator.

The Association’s fifth Moderator was Reverend Dennis Haughton, pastor of the New Mount Zion Baptist Church, Painter and Corresponding Secretary of the Association. During his tenure, Reverend Boone received his Doctor of Divinity Degree from Virginia Union University. This was the first degree delivered to a Pastor from the Eastern Shore.

In 1954, the Reverend J. M. Douglas, Pastor of the Metompkin Baptist Church, Parksley and Recording Secretary, was elected as Moderator. He served twelve years.

In 1966, Reverend R. W. Wilson, Pastor of the Ebenezer Baptist Church, Wardtown and the First Baptist Church, Cape Charles was elected to succeed Reverend J. M. Douglas. Reverend Wilson offered several recommendations including but not limited to serving Communion during our Annual Sessions.

Past Moderators include:

• Reverend S. Parker
• Reverend DeVaungh
• Reverend Edward Bruce, Pastor of Jerusalem Baptist Church
• Reverend Willie Carter, Pastor of New Mount Zion Baptist Church
• Reverend W. C. Rucker, Pastor of Union Baptist Church
• Reverend Leonard Spady
• Reverend Dr. Charles F. Mapp, Pastor of African Baptist Church
• Reverend Carl H. Balark, Jr., Pastor of Bethel Baptist Church
• Reverend James I. Boyd (1995 – 1998), Pastor of First Baptist Church, Mappsville
• Reverend Isaac Jenkins, Sr. (1999 – 2002), Pastor of New Macedonia Baptist Church, Pocomoke, MD: During his tenure, his aim was to walk the Association in unity, togetherness and love.
• Reverend Thomas Dickerson (2003 – 2006), Pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church: Under Reverend Dickerson’s administration, the Association acquired 4 acres of land to erect an edifice for Sessions and Workshops.
• Reverend Kelvin F. Jones (2007 – 2010), Pastor of First Baptist Church, Capeville: Under Reverend Jones’ administration, the Association was spiritually uplifted and moved to a greater spiritual level.
• Reverend Jeffery L. Smith, Sr. (2011 – 2014), Pastor of New Mount Calvary Baptist Church: During his tenure, Reverend Smith encouraged unity among the churches, and empowered the Association to grow our churches for 21^st Century ministry with his theme: Be Intentional. Be the C.H.U.R.C.H.
• Reverend Dr. Charles J. Kellam, Sr., Pastor of New Mount Zion Baptist Church, currently serves as the Moderator. We are expecting great and mighty things under his administration, along with his cabinet; First Vice-Moderator Reverend Milton P. Bunting, Pastor of the Ebenezer Baptist Church and Second Vice-Moderator Calvin L. Washington, Sr., Pastor of the Antioch Baptist Church. We pray that God will continue to bless this great Association as we continue to move forward into intentional and relevant 21^st Century ministry!