First African Methodist Episcopal Church

First African Methodist Episcopal Church
First AME Church in 2015
Location521 North Hull Street,
Athens, Athens–Clarke County, Georgia, U.S.
Coordinates33°57′38″N 83°22′45″W / 33.960626°N 83.379217°W / 33.960626; -83.379217
Built1916
ArchitectLouis H. Persley
NRHP reference No.80000991
Added to NRHPMarch 10, 1980[1]

The First African Methodist Episcopal Church (First AME Church), formerly known as Pierce’s Chapel,[2] is an AME church established in 1866 by Rev. Henry McNeal Turner, and located at 521 North Hull Street in Athens, Georgia.[3][2]

It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places since March 10, 1980.[1][4]

History

First African Methodist Episcopal Church was the first African American church in Athens.[2][3] In 1881, the congregation purchased the lot on N. Hull Street, the present church location.[2] Louis H. Persley, the first African American registered architect in Georgia, designed the building in 1916.[2] 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.[3]

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

References

  1. ^ a b "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: First African Methodist Episcopal Church". National Park Service. March 10, 1980. Retrieved January 11, 2023. With accompanying pictures
  2. ^ a b c d e "Bucket List: Athens and the African-American Experience". Grady Newsource. Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Georgia. 2018-02-27. Retrieved 2023-01-12.
  3. ^ a b c Johnson, Isabella (February 28, 2021). "Athens African American History Self-guided Tour". Odssey News (magazine). Odssey Media Group. Retrieved 2023-01-12.
  4. ^ "First African Methodist Episcopal Church". NPGallery, Digital Asset Management System.
  5. ^ Butschek, Hilary. "First AME Church in Athens celebrates 150 years". Athens Banner-Herald.
  6. ^ "First African Methodist Episcopal Church - - Athens, GA - U.S. National Register of Historic Places on Waymarking.com". www.waymarking.com.
  7. ^ Athens. Arcadia. 2011. p. 66. ISBN 9780738587929.
  8. ^ "Athens First A.M.E. Church gets new pastor, celebrates 151 years". Online Athens. July 21, 2017. Retrieved 2023-01-12.
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