How a Columbia church and Underground Railroad stop plans to preserve its history

Tucked into an unassuming corner in southwestern Columbia sits a historic Black church with roots dating back before the Civil War, including connections to the Underground Railroad. Now after receiving $233,500 in state funding, the 150-person congregation is hoping it will be better able to preserve that history. Marion Esterling, the pastor of Locust United Methodist Church, said that he felt humbled to be one of 24 Maryland groups to get the funding and that the congregation looked forward to using it to carry on the church’s legacy “for another 155 years.”