When the subject of the African Methodist Episcopal Church (A.M.E.) was raised in discussion, W.E.B. DuBois said "by long odds the vastest and most remarkable product of American Negro civilization." Indeed, the formation of the A.M.E. was a remarkable feat. It proves the fact that God will deny no one the opportunity to worship, no matter what the situation.
This was borne out of the necessity for Christians of African descent to have a place where they could worship in peace, without the prevailing racist climate that existed in this country at that time. As a result of an altercation in 1787 between Richard Allen and other worshippers at St. George's Methodist Church in Philadelphia, (the first Methodist church in America), it was deemed necessary for Allen and his fellow worshippers to find a more suitable house of worship.
What would begin as the Free African Society would help shape the vision for Allen to found the first black church in America, which would be called Bethel, which means House of God in Hebrew. Later, as the years would pass, Mother Bethel (as she is affectionately called) would be the catalyst for the first major religious movement among people of color in this country.
Richard Allen would go on to be the first Bishop of the A.M.E. Church. Since that time, the A.M.E. Church. comprises 2.5 million members, 8,000 ministers, and 6,200 congregations in 19 Episcopal districts and hosts 115 annual conferences. The A.M.E. Church. has congregations in over 40 states in the U.S., along with churches in Canada, Bermuda, Europe and in Africa.
For more detailed information about the A.M.E. Church, please visit The Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church web
site.
(Coming Soon: The Bishops of the A.M.E. Church)
The Instutional A.M.E. Church became a reality on July 24, 1900 when Rev. Reverdy C. Ransom, a progressive social thinker and one of the foremost figures in Chicago at the turn of the 20th century, persuaded the A.M.E. Church to purchase the Old Railroad Chapel, 3825 South Dearborn, for a church. The church remained at this location until Urban Renewal came into the area. The church property was purchased by the Chicago Board of Education and Crispus Attucks School now stands on the former site of the church. Instutional A.M.E. Church became Greater Instutional A.M.E. Church on July 3, 1956 when the church moved into its present edifice at 7800 South Indiana Avenue under the pastorate of Rev. Roy L. Miller, Sr. who would later become presiding elder of the North Chicago District.
Instutional was unique for its time because it was organized as a settlement house as well as a church. The intent was to meet the multiplicity of spiritual, social and economic needs of the community. It is worth noting that when Rev. Ransom was inspired to organize Instutional, he had no money and no members. It was truly a work of faith and, under the leadership of Rev. Ransom, the seating capacity grew to be the largest of any church in the city (1,200) at the time. Philanthropists such as Mrs. George Pullman, widow of the founder of the Pullman Company; Mr. Robert T. Lincoln, son of President Abraham Lincoln and president of the Pullman Company; Mrs. Victor Lawson and Mr. H.H. Kolsat all assisted with the operation of the settlement house by paying salaries and purchasing equipment for the community work. The church survived a bombing on May 3, 1903 when Rev. Ransom spoke out against gambling and policy playing in the community.
The pastors of Instutional have each made their own indelible mark not only on Instutional, but the A.M.E. Church as well. Among the pastors of Instutional are two Bishops, four Presiding Elders and one Mayor. They are (in chronological order):
Under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Roy L. Miller, Greater Instutional was moved to it's present location, incorporated by the State of Illinois, and, for the first time, the church has a property deed held by the local Trustee Board. A Day Care Nursery, Scout Troops and a Credit Union, all of which are still in operation, and a Head Start Program were established. It should also be noted that Instutional was the first church in the city of Chicago to establish a Head Start program. Rev. Miller is also responsible for initiating the Men's and Women's Day Programs at the church. Later, in 1985, Rev. Miller was assigned to be the Presiding Elder of the North District of the Chicago Annual Conference of the Fourth Episcopal District of the A.M.E. Church, a position that he has held for the past 11 years.
Rev. Dr. David C. Coleman, Jr. who is currently the Presiding Elder of the South District of the Chicago Annual Conference of the Fourth Episcopal District of the A.M.E. Church, organized the Young People's Division and purchased the parsonage; Rev. Jesse Cotton, who now pastors in the State of Florida, purchased new pews, altar furniture and carpeting, beautified the parsonage, established a WE CARE, WE SHARE FUND, the Rev. Reverdy C. Ransom Scholarship Fund, the Instutional Anvil and burned the church mortgage during Greater Institutional's 75th anniversary year.
Rev. Dr. Lyman S. Parks, Sr., was assigned to Instutional in 1986, bringing to the church a wealth of experience, having pastorate spanning over 50 years. Rev. Parks holds the distinction of being the first and only Black Mayor of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Under the leadership of Dr. Parks, an active Bible Study, scout troops and newsletters were all revived. In addition, Doctrinal Classes, a Couple Class and Singles Classes were also organized. A strong Missionary Society, which now included a Jessie Searcy Unit of younger women, assists with the Tape Ministry and provides help to the needy. Instutional has also adopted the St. Catherine's Women's Shelter, a shelter for abused women and children. From the WE CARE, WE SHARE FUND, assistance has been sent to Africa, mission churches, tornado victims, hurricane disaster victims, Wilberforce University and Payne Theological Seminary, and Camp Baber, a retreat for youth of the A.M.E. Church in Cassopolis, Michigan.
Rev. Parks recently instituted the Lyman S. Parks Scholarship Endowment Fund, has renovated the Parish House (located next door to the church), the parsonage, the pastor's office, the lower auditorium of the church, and the church washrooms. Under his leadership, the records of the church have been computerized, culminating with our presence here on the World Wide Web, the first A.M.E. Church of the Fourth Episcopal District to do so.
Dr. Parks has assembled a gifted pastoral and office staff to help assist him in ministering to the congregation which has lead to the church being alive spiritually and filled with the Holy Spirit! The "Ritual of Friendship" and an 8:00am worship service followed by a fellowship breakfast have also been instituted.
Greater Institutional has also started a new Rites of Passage program, which is geared for young men, ages 12 to 18. We held our first ceremony on Sunday, February 23, 1997, where Dr. Floyd Russaw performed the ceremony, with 10 young men from the church and the community participating. This will be an on-going program, and we are always seeking new mentorees to join us.
None of these accomplishments, however, could have been made with out the cooperation and sacrifice of the members. Greater Instutional African Methodist Episcopal Church stands as a working church, striving to live up to the purpose and goals of the founder. It's doors continue to be open to the members of the community. We salute those who have helped to make this church a valuable and viable institution.