Franklin UM Church Deale-Churchton Road, Churchton 20733
The site is one of the oldest black Methodist meetings in southern Anne Arundel County founded by James Thompson. The land was sold to James Thompson by Benjamin Smith in 1873. James Thompson is the founder of Great Swamp AME Church, now St. Matthews UM Church. Thompson was a freed man before the conclusion of the Civil War. He is credited with being the founder of two religious institutions. The land upon which Churchton is situated was once owned by Thompson.