History
Bishops of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Image Credit: Courtesy of the Library Company of Philadelphia.
Historic
In March of 2020, Anderson Chapel, AME made history when we shut our doors for over two years to protect the safety and welfare of our members while a deadly pandemic (COVID-19), swept the globe. During this time we transitioned our fellowship to an online platform whereby Reverend Raynard Griffin, M. Div., ministered virtually for over two years. We continued to engaged over social media and streaming platforms. Every person who took part in those virtual services became a part of Anderson Chapel, AME history allowing the ministry of the gospel of Christ to continue, and for that we give thanks.
Anderson Chapel, AME, Pastor Raynard Griffin, M. Div.,
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. — Hebrews 10:24, 25
Home Again
On Sunday, March 6, 2022, Anderson Chapel, AME will open its doors for worship. Pastor Raynard Griffin, M. Div., and the entire Anderson Chapel family welcome you with open arms to fellowship with us. There is nothing more valuable than to be embraced and protected by the love and safety of a risen Savior. Should you desire to meet Him, join us. If you are a believer, come and fellowship with like minded worshippers as we grow in the knowledge of Christ together. We hope to see you soon.
Anderson Chapel, AME is located at 3788 Ivan Harris Road, Greenville, NC 27858. Worship services begin at 10:00 am, and Sunday school at 9:00 am.
God's Work Is Not Defined
by Human Standards
the history of anderson chapel ame church of greenville, North carolina
A Dream Realized
A Church is Born on Palm Sunday, March 31, 1998
In May 1997, at the North Carolina Annual Conference, Bishop Vinton Randolph Anderson approved Reverend Mary Faircloth to start a new work for the African Methodist Episcopal Church in the Greenville area. There was no AME Church in Greenville or Pitt County at the time. After research, evangelistic work, prayer, weekly bible study sessions in her home with a faithful group of believers, the vision of an AME Church in Greenville changed from dreams to fruition.
A new congregation was born; a new church in Greenville became a reality. From vision to dreams, prayers, plans, commitments, challenges, and much encouragement the vision was now a reality. The Anderson Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church was officially organized on March 31, 1998, on Palm Sunday. The new church’s name, “Anderson Chapel” honors Bishop Vinton Randolph Anderson, past Presiding Prelate of the Second Episcopal District.
Presiding Elder L.O. Saunders of the Northern District of the North Carolina Conference, the senior pastors of the North Carolina Conference and ten charter members of the congregation met with Reverend and Brother Faircloth in their home on March 31, 1998, to organize the church per The Doctrine and Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, 1996.
On April 5, 1998, Palm Sunday, the first worship service was held in the home of Reverend and Brother Faircloth, and the “church was born.” The Word was preached, and a service of Holy Communion was celebrated. There were twelve persons present for the worship services including the original charter members. On April 19th and May 3rd, two subsequent services were held in the Faircloth’s home. On May 31, 1998, a fifth Sunday Mission Service of Thanksgiving was held at the Boys and Girls Club in Greenville where more than three hundred persons were in attendance from several states and Episcopal Districts.
May 13-17, 1998, at the 129th Session of the North Carolina Annual Conference. Reverend Faircloth, the officers and members of Anderson Chapel AME Church were successful in bringing the newest connectional church in the 2nd Episcopal District into the North Carolina Annual Conference. On Sunday, May 17, 1998, at the closing Commissioning Service of the 129th Session of the North Carolina Annual Conference, Bishop Anderson appointed Reverend Mary Faircloth to the first pastoral charge for Anderson Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church.
In 1999, at the 130th Session of the North Carolina Annual Conference, Reverend Mary Faircloth made the first Annual Report to the Bishop for Anderson Chapel. It was a blessing to report that the church grew spiritually and financially. Anderson Chapel, as was the original African Methodist Episcopal Church (Mother Bethel) was born out of prayer at the altar, faith, and labors of love. “Great is thy faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:23).
In January 2000, the vision God had given to Reverend Faircloth began to manifest in reality as the place that the Lord would have this young congregation worship became available. A house of worship with a detached fellowship hall and approximately two acres of land was found off of Highway 43 South, on the comer of Bess Farm Road and Ivan Harris Road, Greenville, North Carolina. On June 26, 2000, after much prayer, hard work, and thrift, all the paperwork was completed, the pastor and trustees on behalf of the members closed on the church.
“Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unito Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.” Zechariah 4:6
A worship service was held on July 2, 2000, with the celebration of Holy Communion. On July 22, 2001, Anderson Chapel was dedicated by Bishop Vinton Randolph Anderson. Worship services have been held each Sunday in our house of worship. The mortgage was paid in full in June 2014. On October 31, 2015, another significant milestone occurred with the burning of the mortgage, conducted by Bishop William Phillips DeVeaux. “To God Be the Glory for a dream realized!“
In 2017, at the 148th Session of the North Carolina Annual Conference, Reverend Mary Faircloth officially retired from full-time pastoral ministry. Reverend Faircloth was asked by Bishop James Levert Davis to maintain the integrity of the foundation started for one more year, until a suitable mediator and intercessor could be appointed.
In 2024. Rev. Dr. Andra Cunningham was appointed Pastor of Anderson Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church. Anderson Chapel continues to expand its reach into the surrounding areas to continue being forerunners of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Anderson Chapel AME Church
Founding Pastor, Reverend Mary Faircloth, Installed in 1998, retired from pastoral ministry in 2017.
Reverend Richard Allen Bishop of the First African Methodist Episcopal Church of the US. Image Credit: Courtesy of the Library Company of Philadelphia.
Reverend Absalom Jones. Image Credit: Oil on paper by Raphaelle Peale. Public Domain. Courtesy of New York Public Library Digital Collections.
Absalom Jones was the first African American to be ordained as Priest in the Episcopal Church. Together with Reverend Richard Allen, they founded the Free African Society in 1787.
Our History Is Shaped By Their Service. Happy Veteran's Day.
Richard Allen
- Born into slavery, February 14, 1760, Richard Allen purchased his freedom in 1783 for $2,000.
- In 1787, Richard Allen co-founded the free African Society with Absolm Jones.
- In 1799, Allen became the first black person to be ordained as a minister in the Methodist Episcopal faith.
- He founded Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal in Philadelphia, PA., the first black church in the United States. This church served as a stop on the underground railroad.
- Along with Abalsom Jones, they established the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
- He established the Free Produce Society, where members only purchased produce from non-enslaved labor.
- Richard Allen died March 26, 1831.
Amanda Berry Smith
Mrs. Amanda Berry Smith. Image Credit: Photographed by Alfred Pettit, 1880. Published by Keswick, 1878. Courtesy of the Library Company of Philadelphia.
Amanda Berry Smith was an African Methodist Episcopal evangelist preacher, missionary and temperance advocate who entered the ministry in 1869. She was a prominent member of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union. Her autobiography was published in 1899, the same year she opened an orphanage for African American children, the “Amanda Smith Orphan’s Home.” She later opened the Amanda Smith Industrial Home in Chicago, IL.
Sarah Allen
Sarah Allen. Image Credit: Courtesy of Photographs and Print Division Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture — Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations.
Sarah Allen was the wife of Richard Allen and was the Mother of the AME Church.
Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church
Bethel AME Church. Image Credit: Courtesy of the Library Company of Philadelphia. Illustration by William L. Brenton, 1829.
Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church is shown in this illustration. The church replaces the original structure, a renovated blacksmith shop in which the church was founded. The church served as a stop on the Underground Railroad and still sits at 6th and Lombard Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is the oldest parcel of real estate in the United States continuously owned by African Americans.
Absalom Jones
- Absalom Jones was born November 6, 1746.
- He was an Abolitionist and clergyman.
- He co-founded the Free African Society in 1787 along with Richard Allen.
- He established the first black Episcopal congregation in 1794.
- He was the first African American ordained as a priest in 1802 the Episcopal church.
- Together with Richard Allen, they established the African Methodist Episcopal faith.
- He died February 13, 1818.
Jarena Lee
Mrs. Jarena Lee. Image Credit: Lithograph by Alfred M. Huffy, published in Life, by P.S. Duval, Philadelphia 1844. Courtesy of the Library Company of Philadelphia.
On July 13, 2016, the “act of ordination,” posthumously affirmed the ministerial title Itinerant Elder to Reverend Jarena Lee, the first Black woman preacher in the AME Church and first Black woman to have an autobiography published in the United States.
