Ebenezer Baptist Church was born in 1877, fourteen years after the Emancipation Proclamation. A small group of believers came together for the purpose of spiritual growth, development and security. Their faith in God enabled them to begin prayer meetings in homes. With the aid of the Holy Spirit this small group swiftly grew and a location was rented on the corner of South Davidson and East 3rd street in Charlotte , NC.

After nearly a year of worshipping and praying together, Rev. Zack Houghton of Salisbury , North Carolina, was elected as pastor. He brought spiritual organization to this group of believers called the Second Baptist Church, later becoming the Ebenezer Baptist Church.

In 1879 a lot was purchased to erect the first sanctuary, a major accomplishment for any African American congregation during this era. Rev. Houghton went to be with the Lord in 1889. The following twelve ministers succeeded him:

Listing of Pastors and length of tenure at Ebenezer:

1878 - 1889      Rev. Zack Haughton
1889 – 1889     Rev. J.B.K. Butler
1891 – 1893     Rev. Frank Jones
1893 – 1898     Rev. C.L. Davis
1898 – 1905     Rev. Sidney H. Witherspoon
1905 – 1911     Rev. J.R. Cozart
1911 – 1917     Dr. S.T. Eldridge
1917 – 1920     Dr. J.W. Faulk
1920 – 1925     Dr. David B. Mdodonna
1925 – 1946     Dr. H.M. Moore
1947 – 1975     Dr. A. Jackson
1976 – 1997     Dr. Alan B. Sutton, Sr.
1997 – Current  Dr. Leonzo D. Lynch

*Ebenezer has survived two devastating fires in 1949 and 1990 with both sanctuaries being totally destroyed.