First African Methodist Episcopal Church Explained

First African Methodist Episcopal Church
Location:521 North Hull Street,
Athens, Athens–Clarke County, Georgia, U.S.
Built:1916
Architect:Louis H. Persley
Refnum:80000991
Added:March 10, 1980

The First African Methodist Episcopal Church (First AME Church), formerly known as Pierce’s Chapel,[1] is an AME church established in 1866 by Rev. Henry McNeal Turner, and located at 521 North Hull Street in Athens, Georgia.[2]

It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places since March 10, 1980.[3] [4]

History

First African Methodist Episcopal Church was the first African American church in Athens. In 1881, the congregation purchased the lot on N. Hull Street, the present church location. Louis H. Persley, the first African American registered architect in Georgia, designed the building in 1916. While the congregation's church building was being constructed in 1916 services were held at Union Hall in what is now the Morton Theatre.[5]

The original church's basement of the church was used as a school for children and adults. It was named Pierce's Chapel in honor of Reverend Lovick Pierce, a white minister who helped organize the congregation in a building on the Oconee River.[6] The educational center was opened in 1964, under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Clayton Duke Wilkerson.

The church had a parsonage located at 147 Strong Street, built in 1921 and demolished as part of an urban renewal project in the 1960s.[7]

In 2017, the church received a new pastor, B.A. Hart.[8]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2018-02-27 . Bucket List: Athens and the African-American Experience . 2023-01-12 . Grady Newsource . . en-US.
  2. Web site: Johnson . Isabella . February 28, 2021 . Athens African American History Self-guided Tour . 2023-01-12 . Odssey News (magazine) . Odssey Media Group . en-US.
  3. Web site: March 10, 1980 . [{{NRHP url|id=80000991}} National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: First African Methodist Episcopal Church ]. January 11, 2023 . National Park Service. With
  4. Web site: First African Methodist Episcopal Church . NPGallery, Digital Asset Management System.
  5. Web site: Butschek . Hilary . First AME Church in Athens celebrates 150 years . Athens Banner-Herald.
  6. Web site: First African Methodist Episcopal Church - - Athens, GA - U.S. National Register of Historic Places on Waymarking.com . www.waymarking.com.
  7. Book: Athens . Arcadia . 2011 . 9780738587929 . 66.
  8. Web site: July 21, 2017 . Athens First A.M.E. Church gets new pastor, celebrates 151 years . 2023-01-12 . Online Athens . en-US.