KEAS Tabernacle CME Church

This congregation was formed in 1867, only two years after the Civil War. African American members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South created their own congregation, partly owing to their desire for self-determination and partly owing to the discrimination they faced from whites. 

The KEAS Tabernacle CME of Mt. Sterling was formally organized in 1878. From 1867-1878, the congregation worshiped in a small frame building which was built on the same plot the current church would itself be built. From 1878-1893, the congregation took great pains at raising funds for the church as well as providing the labor. During this 15 year process, the construction was halted a number of times so that more money could be raised to allow work to continue. The church was completed and dedicated in 1893. One of the most unique aspects of the church is that it was not designed by a professional architect.

One in four African Americans in Montgomery County were members of the church at the time of the building's completion. The building is still in use today.