A tiny, one-room church stands unobtrusively by the side of Old Annapolis Road in Columbia, across the street from Howard High School. Its interior is about the size of a living room in some of the modern homes nearby. The four pews and a few folding chairs accommodate a congregation of fewer than 20. A little steeple and four small rose-and-blue-colored windows grace its exterior.

"It's a little, small, neat church. It's just comfortable. When you go in there, you just feel comfortable," said the Rev. Roland Howard, 75, founder and pastor emeritus of Banneker Christian Community Church, the congregation that meets there.

Though small, the church building boasts an important history that is linked to the history of the African-American community in Howard County.

"That little church there has been a monument of significance to many people in that community," Howard said.

The Rev. Jeremiah Walker of Randallstown, assistant pastor, said that the congregation is composed of a few families that have ties to the church or to the area. He said "tradition," "history," and a family atmosphere keep the worshipers returning each Sunday. Some are related to Howard. Others are residents whose families have lived in the area for several generations.

Banneker's pastor, the Rev. Lawrence E. Williams Jr., lives near the church as does his mother, Gertie Williams - she is pastor of a church in New Windsor - and as did his grandmother before them.

By 1900, that area was called Jonestown. It was named for George Jones, an African-American who owned land in the area. Jonestown "was known as an African-American community centered on the church," said Joetta M. Cramm, a historian and author of Howard County: A Pictorial History.

The church building was constructed in 1923 by Mount Pisgah African Methodist Episcopal Church, which was formed in 1898 and originally met in a log cabin owned by Jones. Mount Pisgah and two other AME churches in Elkridge, St. Stephen and Gaines, initially were served by one circuit-riding preacher. Mount Pisgah was formed by parishioners of St. Stephen to meet the needs of the African-American community of Jonestown.

As a young girl, Gertie Williams walked from her home, next door to the church, to attend Sunday school there. She recalled that Old Annapolis Road was a dirt street in those days, and that the church bell rang to call people to Sunday morning services.

She remembers Martha Dorsey, a respected teacher and stalwart of the black community. Dorsey organized "little socials" and musical or dramatic evenings at the church.

"The church was the center of the community," said Howard. "That was a gathering place."

In 1995, the Mount Pisgah congregation, which meets at its present location on Cedar Lane, sold the building and an adjacent facility to the Gyung Hyang Garden Korean Presbyterian Church. The Korean congregation began worshiping in the adjacent building and rented the old church to Banneker Christian Community Church.

The Banneker congregation was looking for a permanent place in which to worship - it had been meeting in various locations since Howard founded it in 1984. He named the church for Benjamin Banneker, an 18th-century African-American scientist who lived his entire life in Ellicott City.

"I wanted an open, community church that would embrace all denominations," Howard said.

The congregation originally worshiped at Waterloo Elementary School. At the time, Williams was on the custodial staff there and, he said, avoiding church and God. "I got to the point where I knew I needed to have God back in my life again," he said. Howard's influence changed him and eventually led him to the ministry.

"The church came to where I was," Williams said. "I couldn't keep away from it."

The Korean congregation, which plans to build a larger facility on the site, has donated the historic edifice to the Banneker congregation. Howard hopes to move the church to property in Elkridge that his family has owned for generations - property that he said was visited by Harriet Tubman, who brought many slaves to freedom via the Underground Railroad.

Howard regrets that young people and newer residents of the county tend to be unaware of its history. "If every family around would take and try to find more about their history and name, they would appreciate more the contributions made in past generations," he said.

Banneker Christian Community Church

Denomination: Independent

Leadership: The Rev. Lawrence E. Williams Jr., pastor; the Rev. Roland Howard, pastor emeritus; the Rev. Jeremiah Walker, assistant pastor

Size: 10-16 people

Location: 8645 Old Annapolis Road, Columbia

Date founded: 1984; church structure built in 1923

Telephone: 410-465-7955

Worship services: 11 a.m. Sundays (children worship with adults)