The Little Rock African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Zion Church has a rich and significant history, deeply intertwined with the African American community. From its origins in the late 18th century to its present-day role in Charlotte, NC, the church has been a beacon of hope, resilience, and cultural preservation. This article delves into the historical journey of the Little Rock AME Zion Church, highlighting its key figures, architectural evolution, and contributions to the community.
Origins and Formation
The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church was founded in 1796 in New York City by freed slaves who felt unwelcome in Methodist environments run by European Americans. Facing discrimination, they established their own church, which became known as the "Freedom Church." Notable members included Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth, and Harriet Tubman.
At the same time Allen was working in Philadelphia, the African American congregants of New York City’s John Street Methodist Church faced rising discrimination within their own congregation. In 1796 they left the M.E. fold and formed the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. Their first building, named Zion, opened in 1800. The denomination grew rapidly and by 1820, six churches had been created; two years later, the Reverend James Varick became its first bishop.
The AME Church was created and organized by people of African descent (most descended from enslaved Africans taken to the Americas) as a response to being officially discriminated against by white congregants in the Methodist Episcopal Church. The church was not founded in Africa, nor is it exclusively for people of African descent. The church's roots are in the Methodist tradition.
It began with eight clergy and five churches, and by 1846 had grown to 176 clergy, 296 churches, and 17,375 members. The church also expanded internationally during this period.
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The Church in Arkansas
After emancipation, even before the end of hostilities, both sent missionaries to the South to aid the formerly enslaved.
Warren, who had been brought here as an enslaved person by Arkansas’s first Territorial Secretary Robert Crittenden, had managed to buy his freedom. Warren ran a successful confectionary shop in Little Rock until 1857, when Warren took his family north to Xenia, Ohio.
The church appeared originally as independent churches, and they eventually came together in December 1870 at Jackson, Tennessee, to formally establish the denomination.
Establishment and Growth in Charlotte, NC
Little Rock AME Zion Church has played a leading role in shaping the destiny of the black community of Charlotte, NC.
Little Rock Church originally occupied a parcel on S. Graham St. between Second and Third Streets. In 1906, the church moved to the Brooklyn neighborhood on North Myers and Seventh Street. By 1911, a brick church was built, which was impressive as funding for this new $20,000 structure came entirely from the congregation.
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In order to appreciate and understand the function of the black church in Charlotte in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, one must realize the difficulties which the customs and attitudes, not to mention the legal strictures, of white supremacy and racial segregation placed in the path of black men and women.
Indicative of his standing in the community was the fact that the Charlotte Observer commented editorially upon his death. Indeed, the acclaim which he received from the white leadership of the city was almost unknown in those days of intense and prevailing racial segregation. “In the death of T. H. Zion Church a shining light,” the newspaper asserted.
By May 1908, the plans were drawn and the congregation had raised $2000 in its building fund.The building permit was issued in September 1910, and the new church was finished by June 1911. The cost of the new, brick house of worship was $20,000.This phenomenal sum of money for a black congregation of that era was raised entirely by the congregation itself.
Key Figures
- Thomas Henry Lomax (1832-1908): Founder of Little Rock AME Zion Church in Charlotte.
- Edward H. Hill: Arrived in Charlotte about May 1865 and founded Clinton Chapel, the first black church in the city.
- W. R. Douglas: Succeeded Watkins as minister in 1906 and superintended the building program.
Architectural Significance
The Little Rock AME Zion Church building is a striking medley of turn-of-the-century revival architectural styles. Romanesque arches combine with neo-colonial trim details and domed bell towers to create a unique and handsome church building, a building which has enriched Charlotte’s First Ward community for nearly three quarters of a century.
Exterior front and side facades are symmetrical and feature a series of cast stone trimmed window and door openings as well as carefully executed Adamesque wall and roof design elements of wood. The entrance facade has a three bay balconied portico in the center and large square corner stair towers at each side. The front wall of each tower has twin windows on three levels.
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Soaring high above the corners, twin octagonal bell cupolas complete the tower compositions. With segmented curved roofs which rise steeply to knob finials, the domed roof towers are dominant elements in this eclectic architectural composition. The eight sided belvederes have Palladian arches in each segment with wooden casing, spring blocks and arch keys. Both are open to the weather on all sides, yet only the south tower shelters a bell.
Important among the extraordinary features which adorn the exterior of the church is the consistent use of leaded stained glass in the windows. On all four sides numerous and varied glazed openings flood the interior with subdued light warmed by multi-colored glass.
The architect of the new edifice was James Mackson McMichael (1870-1944). A native of Harrisburg, Pa., McMichael was the architect of several imposing buildings in this community, including the North Carolina Medical College Building, the old First Baptist Church (now Spirit Square), East Avenue Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, St.
Happily, the exterior of the building is essentially unchanged from the original.
Historic Black Churches and Community Hubs | Black History
Role in the Community and Beyond
The church is unique because it is a traditional church that strives to minister to the contemporary culture. We want you to feel comfortable here. Even our worship service is designed to go from “high church” to “have church.” We sing traditional hymns and then the choir may sing an anthem or a spiritual. They can do anything form Handel to Hawkins.
We seek the salvation of all people. God has a purpose for everyone’s life. Our job is to help them understand what their purpose is and celebrate the fact that, whoever you are, there’s a reason why you exist. We come here to be disciples, and in return we are to make disciples. That means offering them salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
For every need, there’s a ministry. If people are hungry, there’s a ministry for that, called the Bread of Life Ministry. We’re a part of Big Brothers/Big Sisters. We have a tutorial ministry every Tuesday and Wednesday. The church is always engaged and always has something going on. We’re still seeking to find out more that we can do to enhance our ministry to the community of Charlotte and beyond.
The Afro-American Cultural Center (AACC)
The City of Charlotte purchased the Church’s North Myer’s Street location in 1979. It was designated a historic landmark in 1982, then renovated and leased to the Afro-American Cultural Center in 1986.
Dr. Harper realized there was a desire amongst the Black community to preserve their history and culture, especially with the rise of urban renewal. Dr. Harper went to Dr. Maxwell with her idea of an Afro-American Cultural and Service Center (AACSC), which Dr. Maxwell supported.
The AACC initially worked in Spirit Square Center for the Arts on North Tryon Street for ten years. The center launched programs and events like the Afro-American Cultural Festival in Marshall Park and a seven-day Kwanza celebration.
The AACC was the precursor to the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture. The Gantt Center upholds and follows the course set forth by its precursor, the AACC, by preserving and highlighting African American culture and arts.
Present Day
We now have a community development corporation that we’re getting off the ground. We’re in the process of re-acquiring the Afro-American Cultural Center building. That was the old Little Rock Church. We’re going to buy it back from the city and house our community development corporation in that building.
Its history, its location. We’re just blessed to be one of the few African American churches in uptown Charlotte, a center city church. We celebrate our history and the fact that we have tried to be a church that welcomes everybody, anybody. We have a long tradition. The church was founded in 1884, and we’re still relevant.
List of Bishops (Not exhaustive)
- Bishop Dwayne A. Walker
- Bishop Frank C. Cummings
- Bishop Philip R. Cousin
- Bishop John R. Bryant
| Episcopal District | Bishop |
|---|---|
| 1st Episcopal District | Bishop Samuel L. Green, Sr. |
| 2nd Episcopal District | Bishop Reginald T. Jackson, Sr. |
| 3rd Episcopal District | Bishop Stafford J. N. Wicker |
| 4th Episcopal District | Bishop Frederick A. Wright, Sr. |
| 5th Episcopal District | Bishop Francine A. Brookins |
