First African Methodist Episcopal Church

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]

First African Methodist Episcopal Church
First AME Church in 2015
Location521 North Hull Street,
Athens, Athens–Clarke County, Georgia, U.S.
Coordinates33.960626°N 83.379217°W / 33.960626; -83.379217
Built1916
ArchitectLouis H. Persley
NRHP reference No.80000991
Added to NRHPMarch 10, 1980[1]

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. "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. "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. 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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