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GASTONĪA GL 00178122
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History of African Methodist Episcopal Zion Churches in the Lincolnton District of the Mestern North Carolina Conference
JAMES VARICK
· FIRST BISHOP
Prepared by the
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11.83
ton District Haymans Council
N.C .C
1982
ADVENT - PURPLE November 30 - December 24
First Sunday in Advent Christmas Eve
EPIHANY - GREEN January 4 - March 2
Epihany
January 4
Universal Week of Prayer
January 5-10
Martin Luther King Birthday
January 15
Human Relations Day
January 25
Race Relations Sunday
February 8
Joseph Charlee Price's Birthday
February 10
Lincoln's Birthday
February 12
Frederick Douglas' Birthday
February 15
Brotherhood Week
February 15-21
EASTER TIDE - WHITE April 17 - May 27
Easter Sunday
April 18
Christian College Day
April 25
National Family Week
May 3 - 9
Mother's Day
May 9
Ascension Day
May 27
Ascension Sunday
May 30
Memorial Day
May 30
Bishop J.W. Hood's Birthday
May 30
United Nations Day
October 24
Reformation Sunday
October 31
Veteran's Day
November 11
Thanksgiving Day
November 25
PENTECOST - RED May 31 - June 6
Pentecost Sunday - June 6
ECCLESIASTICAL COLORS
Suggested use of colors for the various seasons.
VIOLET OR PURPLE - Advent and Lenten Seasons. Emblem of Penitence, mourning, watching.
WHITE OR WHITE GOLD - Christmas Eve - the first Sunday after Epihany, Transfiguration Sunday, Eastertide, Trinity Sunday. Emblem of purity, chastity, light, rejoicing.
BLACK - Only on Good Friday. Signifies mourning.
GREEN - Trinity Season, except on Sunday when white is used. Symbol of life, growth, hope, peace. RED - Pentecost Sunday and Thanksgiving Day. Symbol represents blood and fire.
SCRIPTURE READINGS ADVENT - John 1:14 CHRISTMAS - Galations 4:4 EPIPHANY - Matthew 2:2, John 3:16 LENT - John 1:29 / Revelation 7:17 HOLY WEEK - Matthew 21:8, 26:26, Luke 23:23 EASTER - 1 Corinthians 15:17 / Romans 6:4 ASCENSION - John 18:33, 36 / Matthew 28:18, 19 PENTECOST - Issiah 11:2, 3 / Acts 2:1, 4 TRINITY - Matthew 3:16, 17 "THY WORD IS A LAMP UNTO MY FEET AND A LIGHT UNTO MY PATH" / Psalm
"Thy word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path." - Psalm 119-105
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT LINCOLNTON DISTRICT Western N.C. Conference A.M.E. Zion Church
Dr. Frank R. Brown, Director of Christian Education Reverend S.I. Clement, Presiding Elder The Right Reverend W.M. Smith, Bishop
CHRISTMAS TIDE - WHITE December 25 - January 4
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December 25 January 1 1
LENT - PURPLE March 3 - April 17
Ash Wednesday
March 3
World Day of Prayer
March 5
Girl Scout Sunday
March 7
Girl Scout Birthday
March 12
Holy Week
April 11-17
Palm Sunday
April 11
Maunday Thursday
April 15
Good Friday (Black)
April 16
Easter Eve
April 17
TRINITY SEASON - GREEN June 7 - November 27
Trinity Sunday (White)
June 13
Father's Day
June 20
Children's Day
June 27
Independence Day
July 4
Labor Day - Monday
September 6
Foreign Missions Day AME Zion Church September 26
World Communion Day
October 3
November 30 December 24
Christmas Day Near Year's Day
LINCOLNTON DISTRICT LAYMAN'S COUNCIL 10TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
HISTORY OF THE LINCOLNTON DISTRICT CHURCHES & LAY COUNCIL
THEME: "SO SEND I YOU"
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ESIDING PRELATE - FIRST EPISCOPAL DISTRICT BISHOP: WILLIAM MILTON SMITH, D.D. MRS. IDA M. SMITH, MISSIONARY SUPERVISOR REV. S.I. CLEMENT - PRESIDING ELDER WILLIAM ORR - DISTRICT PRESIDENT
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GASTON COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY GASTONIA, N.C.
Greetings From The President
WILLIAM ORR
My Fellow Zionites,
A slave by the name of Peter Williams approached the officers of John Street Church requesting them to purchase his freedom. Peter Williams played a major role in the AME Zion Church. He could not write his name, he signed the Articles of Agreement with an X.
After the Zion Church was built, membership started to increase. James Varick was the founder and first Bishop of the AME Zion Church, in 1800. Peter Williams was a Layman. These two men began a movement for freedom, freedom to worship as they wished! The fight for freedom still goes on. After the Emancipation Proclaimation in 1863, we were not free, not even after the 13th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, to abolish slavery, in 1865, or the Supreme Court's decision in 1954, the March on Washington or the enactment or the Civil Rights Voting Act of 1965. We have not achieved true freedom! But inspite of all the problems and troubles for freedom, the storm is passing over, because we have come this far by faith, leaning on the Lord.
We have come a long way, religiously, economically, educationally, and politically. We have come from the brush arbors, to modern sanctuaries, we have come from share croppers to farms and factories, from consumers to companies and corporations, from one room shanties to split-level houses. We have moved from the lower class to the middle class; from flour sack dresses to imported silks. We have moved upstairs, but our mode of conduct is still in the basement.
Dr. Victor Tulane and Dr. Aruthur E. Brooks, first and second presidents of the Lay movement, fought for Lay representation and even today many of our churches do not have Lay representation. They are not involved! They have moved upstairs, but I beg them to join us totally! Let us have Lay members dedicated like Sojourner Truth and Harriet Tubman, Great Zionites!
With all of this, the Black Church must win souls for Christ, we must practice brotherhood, and build bridges of understanding and goodwill among the human race. We must keep in our Churches at all times, the Bread of Faith, the Bread of Love, because many people have lost faith, they have no hope, they have no love for one another!
It is time for the Church to be about the Master's business of eradicating sin, poverty, ignorance, crime, immorality, illegitimate births, alcholism, drug addiction, abortions, divorces, corruption in prisons and our government, juvenile delinquency, poor housing, health and educational facilities. The Master's business of preaching, teaching and healing must never be postponed or neglected! It demands daily commitment and carrying the Cross through Christian witnessing and service.
We are at the brink of Spiritual apathy in America, because we are derelict in our moral duties and responsibilite
My fellow Zionites, we leave with you a history of our Churches in the Lincolnton District, that will never be forgotten. We hope, that in years to come, you will add to this your own history. We must never forget our heritage !!
Remember our objects and purposes: Sec. 1. The object and purpose of this organization shall be to organize the laymen of the A.M.E. Zion Church in each Episcopal Area, Annual and District Conference and local church in the connection to the end that the following objectives may be achieved: 1) Deepen the spiritual life of the laity. 2) Disseminate information. 3) Cultivate the denominational loyalty. 4) Expand the denomination through education and evangelism. 5) Promote any other interest of the Kingdom of God.
My sincere thanks to the Special Project Committee and to the pastors, laymen and our many friends and businesses for all your kindnessess and help! Again Thank You!
WILLIAM ORR
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JOHN SADLER Special Project Chairman
WILLIAM HAGER Vice Chairman
BISHOP WILLIAM MILTON SMITH
Chairman: Church Extension Board Board of Trustees: Livingstone College
National Chairman of Centennial Campaign Livingstone Col- lege and Hood Seminary
Vice-Chairman: Publishing House Lay Activities
Board of Directors: Commonwealth National Bank, National Board of NAACP, Mobile United, United Fund of Mobile County. America's Junior Miss Pageant, Inc., Government Board National Council of Churches of Christ in America, Executive Board of World Methodist Council, Dearborn Street YMCA. Mayor's Commission on Progress-Mobile, Steering Committe of NAACP Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
President of North American Section World Methodist Council Chairman of Ecumenical Commission, World Methodist Council
BISHOP & MRS. SMITH
The Churches on the Lincolnton District are highly visible in the Western North Carolina Conference, as well as in the communities in which they serve.
Our Lord Jesus Christ came to declare the presence of God everywhere. Jesus made us aware that no situation was deemed off limits to the sacred present of Almighty God.
You, good lay people are in keeping with His Holy Spirit. I commend your very fine president and the great lay people of the Church for your undertaking of this task, to put in the hands of the people a historical journal such as this, that we all may know the Church better.
The Church is the witness to the fact that the Son of God came to seek and to save the lost. The Church will continue to do so as you good people continue to be the "salt of the earth", and let your light shine!
Mrs. Smith and the family join with me in saying, "you have done a good work, don't stop now". May you be directed and empowered by the Holy Spirit. "In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths."
MRS. IDA M. SMITH
ELDER S.I. CLEMENT
My early ministry as a local Preacher, began at Third Street A.M.E. Zion Church in Cleveland, N.C. and lasted for six years. I was a pastor for thirty-six years in the Western North Carolina Conference and Presiding Elder for fifteen years. Altogether, I have had fifty-seven years of experience in the Western North Carolina Conference. I would like to offer my congratulations to the Lincolnton District Lay Council for ten years of outstanding service in educating our people in church history and church policy.
May God be praised with thanksgiving and all my blessings. PRESIDING ELDER, LINCOLNTON DISTRICT, REV. S.I. CLEMENT
REV. S.I. CLEMENT
MRS. S.I. CLEMENT
THE REV. S.T. COOKE, RETIRED CHURCH BUILDER, PASTOR, BARBER, AND TEACHER.
The Rev. S.T. Cooke has been described as the biggest, little minister in the Western North Carolina Conference. The son of the late Haywood Cooke and Katie Harris Cooke, he is presently married to the former Marion Taylor, of Oxford, North Carolina. They raised two daughters, the late Mrs. Katye C. Carthen and Mrs. Helen E. Thombs, who is mrried to Everette B. Thombs, M.D. of Kings Mountain, N.C. There are two grandchildren, Everette B. Thombs, Jr. and Claire E. Thombs.
Rev. Cooke retired from pastoring in 1980 after 57 years of service to the Central and Western North Carolina Conferences. Rev. Cooke is still active in the ministry. He is a member of the New Bynum's Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church where he serves in whatever capacity he is called upon. Rev. Cooke served for two-four year terms as pastor of the New Bynum's Chapel Church during 1941 through 1945 and 1976 through 1980.
Rev. and Mrs. Cooke reside in Kings Mountain, N.C., at 102 City Street.
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MINISTERS
Left to Right - 1st Row REVS. WALTER ADAMS, M.L. CAMPBELL, S.T. COOKE, S.I. CLEMENT Left to Right - 2nd Row REVS. R.L. HOYLE, NEIL BELL, VICTOR CARSON, LARRY CROSSLAND Left to Right - 3rd Row REVS. FRANK DAVIS, H.L. HALL, J.W. HOLMES
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P.B. KILGORE, NANCY BROWN, J.T. ROSS, THOMAS JACKONS, S.I. CLEMENT R.L. PERRY, F.W. DAVIS, JOHN COULTER
MINISTERS
DR. C. DuPONT RIPPY First Vice-President Connectional Lay Council African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
It is my pleasure as First Vice-President of the Connectional Lay Council to commend the Lincolnton District Lay Council on the excellent work it is doing under the leadership of Mr. William Orr and his fine Staff of Officers. Mrs. Bettye V. Stith, our President, joins me in this commendation. The record will reveal that the Lincolnton District is second to none in Zion! It is my prayer that you will not falter and that you will continue to say through your works, 'Come With Us To Christ."
DR. MALACHI L. GREENE
Dr. M.L. Greene is an active member of Gethsemane A.M.E. Zion Church, Charlotte, North Carolina, where he serves on the Trustee Board, as a Sunday School Teacher, and an Arch Leader. He is the President of the Charlotte District Lay Council and Vice President of the Western North Carolina Conference Lay Council. Dr. Greene also serves as Regional Lay Director for the Second Episcopal Area of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church.
Dr. Greene is active in many civic organizations. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Mechanics and Farmers Bank, Charlotte, North" Carolina. He also serves on the Board of Trustees of Clinton Junior College, Rock Hill, South Carolina.
In addition to his church and civic responsibilities, he is owner and principal officer of Greene Brothers Flooring. Dr. Greene is married to Mattie Macon Greene and they have two sons.
He sends his sincerest congratulations to the Lincolnton District Layman's Council on their 10th Anniversary Celebration.
ALBERT S. STOUT, SR. PRESIDENT - WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA CONFERENCE LAY COUNCIL
There are few conferences in the AME Zion connection that will have a district with as many enthusiastic workers among the Lay people as the Lincolnton District. Just to know the sainted leader of the district, Presiding Elder Clement, will tell you why this dedication is on this district. The Rev. S.I. Clement is a leader any Christian can follow.
The following persons are dedicated servants in their district and in the Western North Carolina Conference Lay Council. Mr. William Orr, District Lay Council President, is a naturally-born leader who is determined to teach the church its history and to reach the objects of the Lay Council. Mrs. Lillian Williams, 2nd Vice-President of the Western North Carolina Conference Lay Council, is competent, dependable and a good leader. Mrs. Margaret Meeks, Western North Carolina Conference Lay Council treasurer, is faithful, trustworthy and reliant. Mrs. Geneva Holland, a staunch supporter and a motivator, stands behind all of these faithful workers to help the district and the Western North Carolina Conference Lay Council to move forward.
Our heartfelt appreciation and congratulations are extended to Brother Orr and the District Lay Council for this great venture in disseminating information about the Lincolnton District.
Yours In Christian Service,
ALBERT S. STOUT, SR. President - Western North Carolina Conference Lay Council
MRS. LILLIAN WILLIAMS
Is a member of St. Stephens A.M.E. Zion Church, Gastonia, N.C. She also serves as a member of the Camp Dorthy Wall Fund Workers. She is past chairperson of the District Program Committee. She serves on the Connectional Council Committee Lay Persons in Spotlight. She is 2nd Vice President of the Western North Carolina Lay Council.
MRS. GENEVA E. HOLLAND
Mrs. Holland is a member of Trinity A.M.E. Zion Church. She serves as Director of Children in Christian Education. She is a member of the District Board of Ushers. She has served as Assistant Secretary of the Western North Carolina Lay Council. She served as First Vice President of the District Lay Council also chairperson of the Membership Committee.
MRS. MARGARET MEEKS
Mrs. Meeks is a member of Bynum's Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church in Kings Mountain, North Carolina.
She has served as Treasurer of the Western North Carolina Conference Lay Council for fifteen years.
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This year she will also serve as Membership Chairman of the Lincolnton District Lay Council.
She has also served as District President of the Woman's Home and Overseas Missionary. Mrs. Meeks is indeed a dedicated and loyal Zionite.
THE HISTORY OF THE LINCOLNTON DISTRICT LAY COUNCIL
The Lay Council of the Lincolnton District was reorganized on the second Sunday in September, 1972 at New Bynum Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church, Kings Mountain, N.C., Rev. R.O. Davis was acting chairman.
Mr. William Orr was appointed President, and is still serving as such after ten years. Our first officers were, Mr. Clyde Adams, first vice president, Mrs. Loulean London and Alice Johnson, secretarys, Mr. William Edwards, treasurer, Mr. Grady Galloway, Chaplin, Mrs. Lillie Gibson, Mrs. Rebecca Dunlap, and Mrs. Ollie King, Program Chairpersons, and Mrs. Lucille Hunter, Social Committee, Mrs. Golie Diggs served as chairman of Sick Committee. Our oldest and still active members are Mrs. Inez King and Mr. Earl A. Floyd. Total membership for that first year ws 28. The central meeting places were St. Peters A.M.E. Zion Church in Gastonia, and New Bynum's Chapel.
The Lincolnton District officially joined the Western North Carolina Conference and the Connectional Lay Council in 1973. Our first report to an Annual Conference was done at East Stonewall A.M.E. Zion Church. Our first delegate to attend a Connectional meeting was Mrs. Lillie J. Gibson. She attended the Connectional meeting held in Dayton, Ohio.
In 1975 the Council began meeting at Churches across the District. Meetings are held on the third Sunday of each month, and consist of workshops, with the exception of the December meeting, when we have our Annual Fellowship Dinner.
In 1975 membership had reached 85, in 1976 membership was up to 121, by 1978 we had 175 members. In 1980 we had the largest membership in the A.M.E. Zion Church with 212 members. In 1981, we placed second in Norfolk, Virginia, we had 278 members.
The first General Lay Convention was held in Charlotte, N.C., at this meeting we had twelve members to attend. We charted a bus to the second General Convention in Birmingham, Alabama. We had four members to attend the fourth General Evangelistic Convocation in Memphis, Tennessee. We have had good attendance at all the Regional meetings that were held in Charlotte and Raleigh, North Carolina and Norfolk, Virginia.
Under the leadership of Rev. John Holmes and District President, Mr. William Orr, the first Youth Lay Council was organized at New Bynum's Chapel with 18 members.
Connectional Lay Day is always observed on the district, some of our guest speakers have been, Dr. C. Dupont Rippy, 1st Vice President of the Connectional Lay Council, Dr. M.L. Greene, Region II Director, Connectional Lay Council, and Mr. Albert Stout, Western North Carolina Conference Lay Council President. We also host the W.N.C. Conference meetings at certain times of the year. These meetings have been held at, New Bynum's Chapel, St. Stephens, St. Peters, Pleasant Ridge, Neelys Grove, Wardell Chapel, and Vestibule.
To celebrate our tenth anniversary, the President organized a Special Projects Committee to publish a "Book Of History" of the twenty-five churches on the district. Also, a day of workshops will be held on Saturday, October 16, 1982 at St. Stephens. Grand Lay Day Services will be held at New Bynum's Chapel on Connectional Lay Day, October 17, 1982
We take this time to offer our sincere appreciation to Presiding Elder S.I. Clement, and the Ministers of the Lincolnton District, who have given us 100% support and co-operation.
The District's next project will be to publish a District newspaper on a quarterly basis.
SPECIAL PROJECT COMMITTEE
Mr. John Sadler, Chairman Mr. William Hager, Vice Chairman Mr. William Manning, Treasurer Mrs. Mildred Huitt, Secretary Mrs. Willie Mae Aiken, Financial Secretary Mr. Alfred Graves Mr. M.L. Bess
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SPECIAL EVENTS OCTOBER LAY DAY MEMBERSHIP DRIVE BEGINS DECEMBER CHIRSTMAS DINNER MEMBERSHIP DRIVE ENDS
TRINITY A.M.E. ZION CHURCH LAY COUNCIL
PRESIDENT: MS. SARA E. HOLLAND FIRST VICE PRESIDENT: MR. AUTHERWAY FLOYD SECOND VICE PRESIDENT: MR. ALEXANDER NEELY SECRETARY: MS. HELEN FLOYD ASSISTANT SECRETARY: MRS. FLOREE ARMSTRONG CORRESPONDING SECRETARY: MISS LINDA FAYE STARNES TREASURER: MS. GENEVA E. HOLLAND PASTOR: REV. FRANK W. DAVIS, JR. MEMBERSHIP: 60
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TRINITY A.M.E. ZION CHURCH Left to Right - 1st Row
MS. SARA E. HOLLAND, MS. BRANDY MITCHEM, MS. VERGIE MITCHEM, MS. LINDA F. STARNES, MS. LESLIE STARNES.
Left to Right - 2nd Row MR. E.A. FLOYD, MR. ALEXANDER NEELY, MRS. ROSLYN BROWN.
Left to Right - 3rd Row MRS. DULCENA FLOYD, MS. CARLA BROWN, MS. LISA BROWN.
Left to Right - 4th Row REV. FRANK W. DAVIS, MRS. FLOREE ARMSTRONG, MS. GENEVA HOLLAND, MR. AUTERWAY FLOYD.
LOCAL PRESIDENTS
SARA HOLLAND, WILLIAM MANNING, LILLIAN FLOYD, ROBERT HAMILTON, SAMUEL BERRY, CLEOTUS HENCE, PHILLIP HAGER, JOHN SADLER, GRADY GALLOWAY.
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LAYMAN'S COUNCIL DISTRICT OFFICE
WILLIAM ORR, President - MS. GENEVA HOLLAND, First Vice President MRS. ESSIE CRAWFORD, Secretary - MS. SARA HOLLAND, Treasurer L.F. STARNES, Coop Secretary
MR. GRADY GALLOWAY, Chaplain - MRS. PATRICIA PALMER, Financial Secretary MR. PHILLIP HAGER, Parliamentarian - MR. WILLIAM HAGER, Second Vice President
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NEW BYNUM CHAPEL A.M.E. ZION CHURCH LAYMAN COUNCIL REV. & MRS. VICTOR CARSON ALL MEMBERS NOT PRESENT. MEMBERS NOT PICTURED.
Angela Hickman Mr. Genrlette Orr Mrs. Ethel Mitchum Mr. Luico Wilson Mrs. Genell Crank Miss Cuba Reid Mr. Frank Buriss Jerry Mitchem Eric Sanders Mary Burris
Mr. William Hager Mr. Benjamin Brown Rev. S.T. Cooke
Mrs. Luico Wilson Mr. Carl Bennix
Miss Brenda Aldrich Hazeline Adams
Ethel Mitchem Zinne Sanders Everetta Burris
Mrs. Ina Hager
Mrs. Margaret Meeks
Mrs. S.T. Cooke
Mr. Mose Russell
Mrs. Lucille Hunter
Mrs. Albertha Hunter
Sandra Aldrich
John Leach Clifford Shanks Craig Brown
Mr. Paul Brown
Mr. William Orr Mr. Douglas Sutton Mr. James Adams Sharon Adams Emma Blalock Jacquelyn Jenkins Mae Hester Davis Mrs. Andrew Brown
MRS. BETTY JORDON Chairperson: Sick and Condolense Committee
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MRS. PATRICIA PALMER Financial Secretary
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SPECIAL PROJECTS FINANCE COMMITTEE
1st Row - WILLIAM ORR.
2nd Row - WILLIE M. AIKEN, MILDRED HUIETT, WILLIAM MANNING, Treasurer, M.L. BESS. 3rd Row - ALFRED GROVES.
SOCIAL COMMITTEE
Front Row - MRS. NELLIE M. JACKSON, Chairman - MRS. ROSLYN A. BROWN, Co-Chairman - MRS. INEZ KING, MRS. MARGARET B. LOVE.
Back Row - Left to Right: MISS CARLA V. BROWN, MISS ALYCE BROWN, MISS LESLIE STARNES, MRS. OLA MAE LOVE.
Not Shown: MRS. LUCILLE HUNTER, MRS. LOUISE WALKER.
MRS. EDNA GRAVES Chairperson of the Program Committee Conference Year 1981-82
MRS. McDOWELL Program Chairperson Conference Year 1982-83
CONTRATULATIONS LAYMENS LINCOLNTON DISTRICT BOARD OF USHERS - SENIOR AND JUNIOR
MR. OTIS DYE - President MRS. ILA M. WILSON - Vice President Recording Secretary - MRS. WILLIE M. NEELEY Assistance Secretary - MRS. ESSIE CRAWFORD Correspondence Secretary - MRS. BERTHA McCLEAVES Treasurer - MISS SARA E. HOLLAND Program Chairperson - MRS. ANNIE DYE By-Laws Chairperson - MISS GENEVA E. HOLLAND Social Committee Chairperson - MRS. NELLIE RUDISELL Chaplins - MR. GRADY GALLOWAY / MR. CLYDE ADAMS Steward - MR. FRED BLANTON President of Jr. Ushers - MRS. BRENDA BROWN
AME ZION CHURCH
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GREATER MOORE'S CHAPEL A.M.E. ZION CHURCH
The restrictions of slavery in Lincoln County limited the growth of Zion Methodism, so after the Civil War there was a rush to convert hundreds of newly freed slaves to the denomination. Bishop Thomas H. Lomax had already organized several churches in Western North Carolina, but the N.C. Conference felt that Lincoln County was fertile ground and needed special religious cultivation. Bishop Lomax called the Bishop John Jamison Moore from his teaching and preaching mission in California.
Since 1863 there had been a church of free Black men who met in a small house in a grove 11/4 miles from the eastern town limit. The church was not affiliated with any denomination. Around 1865, there was such an influx of ex-slaves to the tiny church that the congregation was forced to move outside under the trees. By 1869, a rather large church for this area in those days, had been built. The church was named for Rev. Francis Moore in 1870. He convinced the church to join the A.M.E. Zion Church in North Carolina and the Lincolnton Zion Church of Lincoln County was born. Bishop Moore served as pastor of the church.
In 1879 Bishop Hood brought the Western North Carolina Conference to Lincolnton for its annual convention. It was at this conference that Livingstone College got its beginning.
On January 5, 1890 a school opened on the second floor of Moore's Chapel. It was called Moore's Seminary. In 1898 the church was rebuilt, again rebuilt in 1941. The church is now called Greater Moore's Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church.
The Lincolnton District of the Western North Carolina Conference of the A.M.E. Zion Church was organized from Moore's Chapel.
Greater Moore's Chapel is presently pastored by Rev. J.D. Gladden.
ST. STEPHENS A.M.E. ZION CHURCH
In the year of our Lord 1860, St. Stephen's A.M.E. Zion Church was founded under the leadership of the late Rev. B.F. Martin. A temporary house in the shape of an arbor, which served both as a church and a school, also organized by Rev. Martin was built on the spot where this church stands today.
Rev. Martin served as pastor and teacher for several years until the town school board saw the need of a larger and better place to house the growing boys and girls seeking an education and a better way of life; thus, the Highland Elementary School was built and given to them.
The pastor and his increasing membership purchased the land for the church from the late S. Head in the year of our Lord 1885, for the sum of $43.00.
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