African Methodist Episcopal Church

 African Methodist Episcopal Church History

The AMEC grew out of the Free African Society (FAS) which Richard Allen, Absalom Jones, and others established in Philadelphia in 1787. When officials at St. George's MEC pulled blacks off their knees while praying, FAS members discovered just how far American Methodists would go to enforce racial discrimination against African Americans. Hence, these members of St. George's made plans to transform their mutual aid society into an African congregation. Although most wanted to affiliate with the Protestant Episcopal Church, Allen led a small group who resolved to remain Methodists. In 1794 Bethel AME was dedicated with Allen as pastor. To establish Bethel's independence from interfering white Methodists, Allen, a former Delaware slave, successfully sued in the Pennsylvania courts in 1807 and 1815 for the right of his congregation to exist as an independent institution. Because black Methodists in other middle Atlantic communities encountered racism and desired religious autonomy, Allen called them to meet in Philadelphia to form a new Wesleyan denomination, the AME.

In the 1990s, the AME included over 2,000,000 members, 8000 ministers, and 7000 congregations in more than 30 nations in North and South America , Africa , and Europe . Twenty bishops and 12 general officers comprised the leadership of the denomination.

BRIEF HISTORICAL SKETCH OF SAINT LUKE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH

 Humble Beginning:

Charter Members: Eddie Whitlow, Nettie Curtis and sons, Dave and Mose; Hixie Haynes (Mrs. H.A. Ervin), Mrs. Charlie Gipson and children, Lemuel, Charlie, Matrissie, Drucilla, Caledonia and Arzeleen.

Church Moved: St. Luke moved from its original site to a lot in the 1200 block on Elm Street under the pastorate of Rev. Charles Holmes

Early Pastors: Reverends E.J. Howard, W.D. Miller, Rev. Baughnite, Rev. Ford and Rev. Hightower.
Succeeding Pastors: Rev. L.M. Holmes-1910; Horace A. Young, 1910-1912; A/W/m, R.C. Walker, J.M. Anderson, Rev. J.W. Bennett, 1917-1919; Rev. B.F. Boggess. Pastors who followed Rev. Boggess were: Rev. A.W. Harvey who served 5 years, H.F. Cooper, one year, T.J. Clements, 1923-1927; J.E. Broone, 6 months; J.S. Brookins, a few months; L.R. Mays, 2 years, L.C. Graves, 1933-1936; Rev. E.J. Davis, S.J. Matthews, Rev. E.C. Gibson served for ten years, Rev. L.H. McCloney, Rev. L.E. Reid, 1962-1972, George Willis, 1972-1975; L.E. Ausbie, 1975-1979, Rev. Roger A. Givens, 1981-1983; Rev. Earlie Clemons, Rev. L.H. McCloney, 1984-1989; Rev. W.R. McDonald, 1989-1996; Rev. L.R. Emanuel, Sr., 1996-1998; Rev. Thomas W. Ates, IV, 1998-2000; Rev. Juan N. Tolliver, 2000-2005; Rev. Pamela Rivera, 2005-present.

New Church Erected: A new church was erected in 1906 under the pastorate of Rev. L.M. Holmes.

First Parsonage: Built in 1921-Church moved from Elm Street to Church Street
Present Parsonage: Purchased 1995-Mortgage Burning June 2002

New Church: Built in 1936
New Church: Built in 1969; Mortgage Burning 1979
Purchase of: 1115, 1119, 1129 Elm Street and 1106 Taylor Street (the Reverend Pamela Rivera Mission House) in 2008.

Vision Statement

The vision of the Saint Luke African Methodist Episcopal Church is to become the choice place of Christian worship and Discipleship in McLennan County and the surrounding communities.

Mission

The mission of St. Luke African Methodist Episcopal Church is to equip the Believers to share the Good News of Jesus Christ, live a Christ-centered life, and make other Disciples.

Objective

The objective of Saint Luke African Methodist Episcopal Church is to become a hospital for the sin-sick, a home for the spiritually lost, a refuge for the tired and weary, an institution of learning, and a recreational resource for the youth, young adults and the senior citizens. The objective of the Saint Luke African Methodist Episcopal Church is also to serve as a support mechanism for the community.