In 1856, God in His all-knowing wisdom, saw fit to grant many of His devout followers of the First African Baptist Church a pathway to establish a new community of faith for people of color. On July 6, 1856, a committee was formed to explore the formation of a new African Baptist Church. Committee members were Mr. John Adams, Mr. Lewis Allen, Mr. Benjamin Harris, Mr. John Oliver, Mr. R. Taylor and others. Rev. Dr. Robert Ryland, Pastor of First African Baptist Church, who was white, led the committee which was responsible for finding a location for the new church.

After searching for a suitable site, the committee met in the home of Mr. John Adams at 227 W. Leigh Street. Mr. Benjamin Harris shared a vision he previously had, stating that he passed by a body of water which was on the site where Ebenezer Baptist Church now stands at the corner of Leigh and Judah Streets, in what is now called Jackson Ward in Richmond, Virginia. According to Mr. Harris, a man with outstretched arms appeared on the water and said, “I have chosen this spot from the foundation of the world as the place for the fishing of men’s souls.” The committee thought that Mr. Harris’ vision was a prophetic sign, and they decided that this site would be the perfect location for the new Third African Baptist Church as Ebenezer was originally known.

On October 5, 1856, Rev. Ryland reported that the committee had sanctioned the lot at the corner of Judah and Leigh Streets. He was authorized to purchase the lot for $10.00 a foot. On December 7, 1856, Rev. Ryland showed that he had purchased the lot for $541.23. During the winter of 1856-57, Ebenezer’s first building fund campaign took place. Members of the building committee were given books to solicit subscriptions for this fund. On March 7, 1858, Rev. W. T. Lindsay was invited to hold services in the basement of the new church.

On April 4, 1858 the new building was dedicated. A committee was appointed to compile the names of the persons who would make up the membership of the new church, and each member on the roll was identified as either “slave” or “free.” It was determined that all members of First African Baptist Church living west of Second Street and north of Broad Street were to form the membership of the new church.

Dedication day for the new church was May 30, 1858. Throngs of worshippers proceeded from First African Baptist Church at 14^th and Broad to the new Third African Baptist Church, later called Ebenezer. Singing jubilantly as they went, they were led in song by Brother Stephen Douglas Jones.

On July 25, 1858, Rev. Dr. W.T. Lindsay (white) was elected the first pastor. During Dr. Lindsay’s pastorate the church carried a double role. Opposite each member’s name was the name of his or her owners, if he or she were a slave. The names of persons who had been set free were identified as “free” and so noted by their name.

On May 21, 1865, at the end of the Civil War, Rev. Peter Randolph became the first Black pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church. Public Schools for Richmond blacks began in the basement of Ebenezer during this period. In 1867, Ebenezer’s first daughter church, Cedar Street Memorial Church was organized. Shiloh Baptist Association was established in Ebenezer with Rev. Randolph as its president.

Rev. J. C. Allen served as pastor from April 1870 to July 1870.

In October 1870, Rev. Richard Wells was elected pastor. Four daughter churches were established; St. John Baptist (1870), Pleasant Grove and Riverview Baptist Churches (1885), and Mt. Carmel Baptist Church (1888). In 1883, Hartshorne Memorial College, a women’s school, was organized in Ebenezer. The YMCA had its beginning in 1887 in Ebenezer. During the time of Dr. Wells, the Ebenezer Aid Society was organized; the Baptist Young Peoples Union evolved. The Sunday School was organized with adult and children’s classes. Dr. Wells served Ebenezer for 31 years.

January 1902, began the tenure of Rev. William H. Stokes. A large number of members were added to the church role by baptism. During one 6 week period, 700 people were converted. In 1905, Mr. Vernon Baptist Church became Ebenezer’s sixth daughter church. Dr. Stokes in his work with Lott Carey became the editor of the Lott Carey Herald. He organized the Women’s Missionary and Educational Circle. Other groups formed during this period included the Campfire Girls, the Girls Protective League, and the Council of Negro Women. In 1911, a remodeling project of the church began and was completed in May 1912. The first kindergarten in the city of Richmond was organized by Mrs. Drusilla Gilpin in 1914. Troop 78 of the Boy Scouts of America was organized in 1929.

In December 1933, Rev. Dr. E. E. Smith, Sr. preached his first sermon as Pastor of Ebenezer. During his tenure several organizations were formed: the Junior Choir, the Jewel troop 35 of the Girl Scouts in 1935; the Ebenezer Glee Club, the Gleaners Bible Class. In January 1940 Ebenezer hired a full time executive secretary, Miss Maria Burke. The Religious Education Building was built and completed in 1952. Rev. Smith and Brother Ellsworth Storrs were credited with helping to save Ebenezer from being demolished to accommodate the new interstate highway. Dr. Smith served Ebenezer for 26 years.

In 1960, Rev. Dr. David T. Shannon became the pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church. During his time many changes were instituted: a Commission Study on the structure of the church was updated; the rotation of officers was approved, a tithing enlistment program was adopted; the unified church treasury, the initiation of an annual retreat for officers of the church Ebenezer joined the American Baptist Church-USA. A new organ and piano were purchased, a nursery for young children was dedicated, air conditioning was installed and new pews were purchased. Rev. Shannon resigned in 1969.

Dr. J. Raymond Henderson and Dr. Wendell Russell served as interim ministers from 1969 to 1971.

In July 7, 1971, Rev. Dr. Wallace J. Cook was called to the pastorate of Ebenezer. During his pastorate, a full-time Minister of Christian Education was hired; the Clothes Closet and Food Pantry was organized; a mini-bus was purchased, and pew cushions were installed. In 1987, 8:00 A.M. services began; Ebenezer purchased its first bus that same year. In 1988, the building fund campaign, “Continuing Forward in Faith” was initiated. The 8 O’clock Chorale was organized in 1989. In 1990, the groundbreaking for a 1.4 million dollar new construction and renovation was held. In 1991, Mrs. Martha Cook was the first woman to be licensed to preach at Ebenezer. So many organizations and ministries were added to the growth of the church during Dr. Cook’s time. After 30 years of dedicated service, Dr. Cook retired in July 2001.

In August 2001, Rev. Dr. James Leary became the Interim Pastor. He inspired the congregation to retire an outstanding debt and to burn the mortgage. He served Ebenezer for 20 months.

Rev. Dr. Levy M. Armwood became pastor of Ebenezer in April, 2003. He ordained 10 Deacons in August 2003. A new pulpit lectern, reproduced from an earlier pulpit was presented to the congregation. Pastor Armwood represented Ebenezer in Zambia; Deacon Carter in Kenya as missionaries. Ebenezer advanced technologically by adding a website. A Restoration and Renovation project was initiated. Ebenezer joined the Micah Initiative at Carver School. The EBC Memorial Tree was installed and dedicated on May 2008. Ebenezer was blessed to acquire additional property on St. Peter Street. New ministries and personnel were added during this time. Dr. Armwood retired on June 30, 2017. The Ebenezer Family gives thanks to God for each Pastor who has led this branch of Zion through the years.

Dr. Leary returned to lead as interim pastor from July 2017-February 2020. He maintained the church's commitment to inspiring worship, biblical teaching, and care for the community.