About Us - Church History Highlights
A vision resulted in the organization of the Lee Street AME Church under a brush arbor in 1902 by the Elder Peter Clayton, a member of Trinity AME Church, and several others, who desired a church on the north side of Americus. With faith in God, they prospered and, on March 6, 1903, purchased a plot of land on the Oglethorpe Road, now a triangle between Lee and Carter Streets, for the sum of $25.00. The Rev. J.S. Myrick was the pastor.
A wooden structure was erected, and there they worshipped, renaming the church Allen Chapel, before the cornerstone was laid by the Elbert Head Lodge #68, during the pastorate of the Rev. R.A. Whitfield. The church thrived and became a circuit with Long Branch AME Church for many years.
Allen Chapel was admitted to the Annual Conference under Bishop Henry McNeal Turner.
In 1946, under the pastorate of the Rev. L.J. Jones, the property was purchased by the City of Americus in order to widen Lee and Carter Streets for the sum of $2,200.00. The present property was purchased from the late W.R. Burleigh, and a block building was erected. Services were held at A.S. Staley High School, and in the spring of 1947, the new church was occupied, dedicated to the glory of God.
There have been many Bishops, Presiding Elders and Pastors throughout the years, most of whom are now sleeping.
Great progress for the church has been made under the leadership of several pastors. Under the late Rev. J.R. Campbell, the church was modernized and became a station church. Long Branch and Trinity AME churches were accepted by merger, and the building was enlarged. It became headquarters for the Sumter County Civil Rights Movement in the sixties, with Rev. Campbell as leader. He organized the Boy Scout Troop #211.
The long-ranged vision of the Rev. Elijah Smith resulted in acquiring additional property, renovation and beautification. There was cooperation with Koinonia Community. Six deaconess were consecrated. The 1979 Southwest Georgia Annual Conference was royally entertained.
The mortgage was liquidated, new organ purchased, and the church front remodeled, under the pastorate of the Rev. Walter Washington. Brother Norris Harris accepted the Lord’s call to the ministry.
Under the Rev. Walter L. Great, the parsonage was refurbished, the old cornerstone of Allen Chapel and Trinity Churches were encased in the front of the building, the old bell encased in front, grounds landscaped, as well as other improvements. A new van was purchased. Brother Robert Angrish and Bro. Jimmy Oates accepted the Lord’s call to the ministry.
A new parsonage was purchased under the pastorate of the Rev. Eddie Oliver. The old one became the Administration building. The church made application to incorporate. Sister Lodenia Waymon Coleman accepted the call into the ministry.
Under the leadership of the Rev. Dr. M.S. Karl Colquitt, a new air-conditioner was obtained, incorporation seal received among other improvements. Sister Sherryl Harris Sneed and Brother Robert Coleman accepted the call into the ministry. A library was set up by the Noisy B. Stephens Women’s Missionary Society with a generous donation from Presiding Elder Elijah and Mrs. Janet Smith. It was dedicated by the late Bishop Ming.
The Rev. Spencer Lamar Booker implemented new ministries for the church and community. His Back-to-School Youth Conference was very successful and was copied. He established a Millennium Vision 2000 idea among other improvements.
The church was re-roofed, painted inside and outside under the Rev. Kenneth Williams. By our request, the Americus City Council renamed Wild Street, the Rev. J.R. Campbell Street, in honor of our former pastor and Civil Rights Leader. In addition, the Reverends Lodenia Waymon Coleman and Sherryl Harris Sneed were ordained Itinerant Elders, and the Rev. Robert Coleman was ordained a Deacon and Local Elder. Three Deaconess were consecrated July 16, 2003, by Bishop Frank C. Cummings. Rev. Williams was awarded a Doctor of Ministry degree during his pastorate.
Under the Rev. D.D. Davenport, the parsonage and the administrative buildings were sold, and the mortgage liquidated. New property was acquired for a new church. On Sunday, July 30, 2006, a ground breaking ceremony was held for the new church, with Bishop E. Earl McCloud as guest minister. Rev. and Mrs. Davenport were wed at Allen Chapel in 2005 with a beautiful ceremony. Bro. Gerald Harris accepted the Lord’s call to the ministry.
Rev. Nathaniel Veal came to us in March 2006, facing granite walls and seemingly insurmountable mountains, but by the grace of God, he faced them, and was determined to prevail by faith in God. He was small in stature, but a giant in vision, spirit, determination, and tenacity. He had plans for ministries that would benefit the church and community.
Under Pastor Veal’s administration, the new church on Bumphead Road was completed. It was dedicated to the glory of God on Sunday, September 15, 2010, by Bishop William P. Deveaux.
In June 2012, the Rev. Curtis Frazier was appointed to this charge. His focus was on preserving the church’s rich history as well as moving the church forward. Under Rev. Frazier’s leadership, chairs were bought for the pulpit. He created the stewardess room for the stewardesses. Also, the church sign was purchased under his leadership
Our present pastor, Rev. Jermaine Harris, was appointed to Allen Chapel June 2017. by Bishop Reginald T. Jackson. Pastor Harris came with a mind to work and continue to move the church forward. His vision is making a difference in the community and a commitment to full time ministeries.
We remember the faithful warriors of yesteryear and honor those of today who are in the vineyard working hard to continue the mission of the church. We have come this far by faith, leaning on the Lord . And step by step, we will make this journey, for there is no secret what God can do.
