John Wesley African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church was established in 1924 in Detroit, Michigan. The church was born out of the desire of members to worship near their homes on the west side of town.
It was named after Bishop John Wesley Martin, who was the bishop at the time. Initially, the members met in each other's homes and rented locations. In 1937, they acquired a building at 6419 Beechwood, Detroit, Michigan, and worshiped in the basement of this building.
By 1953, members were able to worship in the sanctuary for the first time. The congregation moved to its current location at 28001 Evergreen in Southfield, MI, in December of 2001.
JWC is a Christian community called to perfect the saints for the work of the ministry, to edify the body of Christ, thereby fulfilling the great commission as mandated by the Lord Jesus Christ.
God has uniquely blessed our church over the years. We praise God for a rich history and the investments of those who came before us.
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As we move into our 101st year as a faith community, we will seek the Lord's will on how to start anew. Thank God that He provides space for us to do things differently, step out in faith, and seek God's next steps for our lives.
In 2025, we will Reset by re-centering, retooling, reconnecting, and reviving.
Looking ahead, JWC has set goals for growth:
- 2025: Grow as we reach - JWC will be intentional about reaching various communities, increasing all membership involvement in the ministry, reaching beyond our church into community partnerships, and reaching our digital campus. We believe God in faith to help us reach more people and add to the church!
- 2026: Grow as we organize - JWC will be intentional about setting up models, structures, and theories of change to hold the growth. This includes an evaluation of all aspects of ministry and ensuring staff, volunteers, and members are mission minded. We believe God in faith to give us the ability to train, energize, and develop disciples!
- 2027: Grow as we work - JWC will be intentional about putting in the work necessary to grow. This includes evaluating commitment, streamlining our practices, and increasing our comradery.
To better understand the roots of the John Wesley African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, it's essential to explore the broader history of Methodism and its impact on American society.
The Roots of Methodism
In 1729, a small group of students at Oxford University in England formed a Holy Club, to “win fellow students to a studious and virtuous life and to obtain a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures in the original tongues.” The best known members of this club were John and Charles Wesley. Wesley taught a process of sanctification, to love God with all one’s heart, mind, soul and strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself.
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Holiness of heart had to find fruit in outward works and social involvement. In 1739, Wesley was asked by eight or ten people to spend some time with them in prayer and discussion, which began the Methodist system of class meetings. When the people of this movement, who were changed by it, were not acceptable to the established church, the Methodist Church was the result.
“Methodism is Christianity in earnest” Wesley said. “A Methodist is one who lives according to the method laid down in the Bible.”
Methodism in America
Methodist practice of the Christian faith arrived in North America as part of the “Great Awakening,” an evangelical movement that swept the English-speaking parts of the world in the middle of the 1700’s. This movement also produced a great surge in the Baptist church, and missionary work by “New Light” Presbyterians. Evangelists found immediate acceptance among craftsmen, servants, slaves, apprentices, bondsmen and small farmers.
It was a fundamental principle of Methodism that all men are equal in the sight of God. Methodism was first introduced into North Carolina in 1790 by Henry Evans, a minister of African descent.
John Wesley
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Despite Wesley’s deep opposition to slavery and his championing of poor and mistreated people, both white and black, not all of his followers remained true to his ideals. Although black people had been accepted as worshippers in the Methodist tradition since it was first brought to America by Wesley and his brother Charles in the 1730s, black Methodists were often poorly treated by their white brethren.
The church, by then known as the Methodist Episcopal Church, granted preaching licenses to a few black men, but they were rarely allowed to preach, even to other black members of the church. Preaching to white Methodists was out of the question. These black preachers were not allowed to join the Methodist Conference, the church’s decision-making body. In many Methodist churches, black worshippers were segregated from white members and were forced to sit in the church gallery rather than in the main area of worship.
The Rise of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
In the late 18th century, two distinct groups of black Methodists, one in Philadelphia, and one in New York City, formed their own churches. Both groups initially took the name African Methodist Episcopal Church. The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church began in New York City in 1796. Zion Church grew out of a spirit of reform.
The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church had its origin in New York, under the leadership of James Varick, Abraham Thompson, June Scott, William Miller, and several other black men who worshipped at the John Street Church. By 1801, the group was incorporated as the African Methodist Episcopal Church in New York.
AME Zion Seal
For the next two decades, they remained affiliated with the white-dominated Methodist Episcopal Church. Zion leaders voted to leave the Methodist Episcopal Church, and they published their first discipline, or rules and regulations for church practice.
Through a 25 year period of separation, a close relationship continued with the Methodist-Episcopal Church. In 1795, Bishop Asbury met with 8 classes made up of 155 members of African descent. In 1806 Bishop Asbury ordained James Varick, and two other preachers. This had been authorized by a Methodist-Episcopal conference in 1800, but that raised so much opposition it was not acted on.
History of the AME Zion Church
(Zion) church voted to remove themselves entirely from the Methodist-Episcopal Church in 1820, and published their first discipline as an independent church. But in 1822, church leaders were ordained as elders, by elders of the Methodist-Episcopal Church. Varick soon after became the church’s first bishop.
Although various Methodist denominations remain far apart organizationally, all belong to the World Methodist Council.
John Wesley AME Zion Church: A Legacy of Social Justice
Zion Church has been known for its spirit of reform and activism. In the 19th century, the church was in the forefront of the antislavery movement.
In 1774, John Wesley wrote Thoughts Upon Slavery, a pamphlet which described the people of west Africa as “a sensible and ingenious people, kind and friendly, courteous and obliging, and remarkably fair and just in their dealings.” Six days before his death in 1791, Wesley wrote to William Wilberforce, a leader in the the British movement to abolish the slave trade “if God be for you, who can be against you? Are all of them stronger than God? O be not weary of well doing!
The church played a significant role in the Underground Railroad, aiding enslaved people in their quest for freedom. Prominent figures such as Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman were closely associated with the AME Zion Church.
Harriet Tubman
Additional Historical Highlights
To provide a broader context, here are some historical highlights related to other John Wesley Churches:
- 1847 - Founders, John Brent and John Ingram withdrew from Asbury M.E.
- 1849 - A site was purchased on Connecticut Avenue and the first John Wesley was built.
- 1851 - The congregation led by Rev. Abraham Cole, the first minister, moved into the new independent John Wesley Church.
- 1853 - John Wesley Church was enlarged to accommodate the increasing congregation.
- 1902 - The property on Connecticut Avenue was sold and the church relocated on 18th Street, N.W.
- 1914 - The property on 18th Street was sold and John Wesley was relocated to the present site during the pastorate of Rev. W.C. Brown.
- 1923 - Marcus Garvey spoke to a crowd of about 2000 persons at the church. Ladies Usher's Board, Stewardess Board No. 1, and Stewardess Board No. Zion Church was held at the church.
- 1936 - Rev. Stephen Gill Spotswood was appointed Pastor at the Annual Conference. He launched the Temple Beautiful campaign completely renovating the church.
- 1937 - The first church parsonage was purchased at 1324 Q Street, N.W. Gleaners Club, Cathedral Choir, Children's Choir, Chorus Choir, Acolytes Guild, Education Club, Spottswood Circle, Stewardess Board No. Zion Chruch and was designated as "The National Chruch of Zion Methodism". The church mortgage was burned.
- 1944 - The Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society No.
- 1945 - Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt spoke to a capacity audience at the church. Deaconness Board No.1, Pastor's Study Club, Home Missions Workers, Woman's Home and Foreighn Missionary Society No.
- 1951 - The Helen A.
- 1949-1952 - Rev S.G. Spottswood was President of the District of Columbia Branch of the N.A.A.C.P.
- 1952 - Rev. S.G. Zion Church. Rev. E. Franklin Jackson was appointed Pastor of John Welsey. The Church was renovated, resulting in the divided Chancel and the establishment of self-service Communion.
- 1959-1964 - Rev. E.
- 1974 - Bishop S.G. Spottswood and Rev. E.
- 1975 - Rev. Cecil Bishop was appointed Pastor of John Wesley.
- 1978 - A major renovation of the Church was conducted.
- 1979 - In July, a fire severely damaged the Church edifice.
- 1980 - The restoration of the Church after the fire was completed. Rev. Cecil Bishop was elected Bishop. Rev. G. Ray Coleman was appointed Pastor of John Wesley Church. Rev. Coleman's programs included: The Bold Faith Plan, Construction of the Victory Skylight, Establishment fo the Scholarship Program, Organization of the After School Program.
- 1982 - Deaconess Board No. 2 and Deaconess Board No.
- 1994 - Rev. Cameron Jackson was appointed Pastor.
- 1997 - Rev. Vernon Shannon was appointed Pastor.
- 2002 - The Women's Home and Overseas Ministry Society was created by merging W.H. & O.M Societies 1, 2 and 3.
- 2003 - The property at 1324 Q Street, N.W. was renovated and sold.
- 2010 - A major renovation of the church was conducted.
- 2017 - Rev. Dr. Christopher L.
