The roots of the "old church" can be traced back to the year of 1863 when in those days everyone worshiped under the Brush Arbors. Thomas Chapel was first founded and organized. The first official building was built in 1903. Forty years later, the church members had the building remodeled (1943) This re-modeling of the church upheld until the year of 1957, when the church was then completely re-built. The re-building of the church in 1957 was started under the leadership of the Rev. H. H. Grier. At that particular time, the Presiding Elder was Elder Seagal and the presiding Bishop was Bishop Walls. This was an exciting time for the church family, because not only were they able to build a church, but they were also able to build a church parsonage. The first sermon was delivered in the "new church" in January of 1958, by the new pastor of Thomas Chapel, Rev. F. Percy Smith. Before this time, Thomas Chapel was on a circuit with Smyre's Chapel with services being held every other week at each church. When the new church was built, Thomas Chapel became a station church with a permanent pastor. With the new building came strong church leaders who continued to carry the torch that their forefathers had passed on to them. The Steward Board was not active at that particular time, but Oscar Baker served as the Preacher's Steward. Some active members of the Trustee Board included: Ray Baker; Hiram Kincaid; Wally Rinehardt; H. A. Loritts; Walter Smith, Sr.; and, Hill Baker. As the years progressed, both boards grew stronger with leadership from other members of the church. In 1970, the church celebrated again with the laying of the cornerstone and the mortgage burning. The minister was Rev. C. W. Lewis with Rev. Burke serving as Presiding Elder and Rev. Raymond Luther Jones as Bishop. To help the church with the dedication, the Masonic Lodge #25 of Catawba laid the cornerstone. George Hewitt served as Wishful Master. Also part of the celebration was Mabel F. Jones, who was the Missionary Supervisor. Over the years, God has blessed the families of the members of Thomas Chapel, and these families have branched out to make the church family complete. Some of the families that make up the church congregation include; The Loritts, Smith, Baker, Rinehardt, Hunsucker, Caldwell, and Lawrence families. Ministers who have pastored this great church include the following Reverends: Wilcox; Goff; Burnette; Watkins; Seagle; Greer; Smith; Armstrong; Sims; Anthony; Lipsey; Remone; Little and Rev. Charles Lewis, Rev. Reginald Eldridge and currently (since 2005) The Rev. Lenton D. Rhodes. Service has been rendered by the following Presiding Elders: Glenn; Houston; Seagal; Burke; Anthony: Godfrey; Cuthbertson; Wilford L. Bailey and currently Presiding Elder David A. Baker. Service has also been rendered by the following Presiding Prelates: Bishop R.L. Jones, Bishop W.J. Walls, Bishop W.M. Smith, Bishop R.L. Speaks, Bishop Cecil Bishop, and currently Bishop George W.C. Walker, Sr. Thomas Chapel A. M. E. Zion Church has had help from many private citizens in order to make their building dreams come true. Special thanks is given to Adrian L. Shuford, Sr., to whom the church building is dedicated. An inscription can be found on the church building which reads: "To the memory of Adrian L. Shuford, Sr., whose love for his fellowman engendered the community spirit which made this house of worship a reality." To God be the glory, now and forever more.

JAMES VARICK 1750 - 1827 Founder and First Bishop       AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL ZION CHURCH

The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church was established in 1796 in New York City by James Varick, Abraham Thompson, William Miller and others. The church was an outgrowth of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was necessitated because of discrimination and denial of religious liberty. See Our Church Structure for more History. This first church organized in 1796 and built in 1800 was called Zion, The founders chose this name because "It is the name most frequently used in the Bible to designate the Church of God". The founders of the church determined that this denomination would dedicate itself to the liberation of the human spirit. The early society was known as the “Freedom Church.” Spiritual, social, and economic emancipation were the hallmarks of their faith. This church is Blessed to have some noted members such as: James Varick, Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass and Soujourner Truth, to name a few. See Current Bishops of our Great Church. The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church now encompasses 6,600 churches (approx.) and it has an active membership of 1.7 million. (5 continents) The church has founded and contributed to the support of a number of institutions of higher learning – Livingstone College, Hood Theological Seminary, both located in Salisbury, North Carolina; Clinton Junior College in Rock Hill, South Carolina; Lomax Hannon Junior College in Greenville, Alabama; A.M.E. Zion Community College University in Monrovia, Liberia, West Africa; and Hood Speaks Theological Seminary in Nigeria – and maintains missions here and abroad. The Star of Zion, the church’s official newspaper, is published biweekly. The Logo of the A. M. E. Zion Church On August 2, 1984, at the 42nd General Conference held in St. Louis, Missouri, the A. M. E. Zion Church adopted an official denominational logo. The late Rev. Dr. Percy Smith, Jr., formerly pastor of First A. M. E. Zion Church, San Francisco, and First A. M. E. Zion Church, San Jose, California, and retired from pastoring in Salisbury, North Carolina in the Western North Carolina Conference, created the logo's design and interpretation. The Triangle: Representing the Godhead in this equilateral triangle is the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit, or the Holy Trinity. The Ecclesiastical Color: The colors of the logo suggest the mood of a church festival. Within recent years, the interpretation of black has changed to encompass a texture of the whole life. All colors blending and melting together signify joy, sadness, struggle, faith, hope, and, finally, eternal life. V: The widely used symbol for victory represents a church born victoriously under the leadership of James Varick, our first Bishop. V also represents Varick. LATIN CROSS: One of the most accepted symbols of Christianity, this plain and empty cross alerts the world to the reality that "He is not here, He is risen victoriously." RED CROSS: It symbolizes power, love, glory" and honor and is associated with our Lord's passion and suffering and the Christian's zeal. A-AFRICAN: This refers to our African background. It is in black and suggests that Africa is the cradle of civilization from whence came all races and colors. M-METHODIST: This refers to the doctrine about God and Christ to which we adhere. It is in green, the universal color of growth, progress, and hope. E-EPISCOPAL: This means that we are a church overseen by Church Fathers called Bishops. Purple, so often worn by our Episcopate, denotes kingly authority in Godly judgment. Z-ZION: God's Holy Hill stands for our branch of Methodism, which is a separate entity from the A. M. E., C. M. E., and M. E. Churches. The color blue is symbolic of heaven and sincerity.

A.M.E. Zion Corporate Headquarters 3225 W. Sugar Creek Rd Charlotte, NC 28221 Zion Renaissance Conference Center 3165 Zion Renaissance Ln. Charlotte, NC 28269

Our A.M.E. Zion Corporate Headquarters are secluded and set apart in an area of spectacular beauty and grandeur known as the “Zion’s Renaissance Complex.”  They are located in Charlotte, North Carolina. The complex is nestled in 86.5 acres of land owned and operated by the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. Phase by phase we have grown by adding office space for all the General Officers of the church, 100 units of senior housing, 50 condominiums for retirees, conference and meeting facilities, 10 acres of land for a park, walking trails, picnic areas, theater style pavilion, amphitheater, shelter/gazebos, security house, softball fields, tennis court, daycare, family life center, fountains and much more! Zion's Renaissance Complex offers Catering, Wedding Packages, Complete Meeting & Reunion Packages for businesses and families who need full service off-site facilities. We offers Complete Meeting & Reunion Packages for businesses and families who need full service off-site facilities. Contact The A.M.E. Zion Headquarters and Zion Renaissance Conference Center at 704 599-4630 - phone / fax - 704 599-4580

The Chapel The Chapel - Inside Bishop Ruben Lee Speaks Gymtorium Proposed New Buildings Camp Dorothy Walls Conference and Retreat Center, Inc. 1244 North Fork Road Black Mountain, NC 28711

Camp Dorothy Walls Conference and Retreat Center, Inc. is located at the corner of Craigmont and N. Fork Rd in beautiful hills of Black Mountain, North Carolina. This location encompass The Ruben L. Speaks Gymtorium, Chapel, Dormitories, lake, swimming pool, tennis and basketball courts, on approximately 70 acres, plans has been unveiled to build a hotel that would accommodate 172 guests nightly, etc. The Piedmont Episcopal District is blessed to have this mountain resort and retreat complex.An onsite Manager is available most days. Camp Dorothy Walls. Address. 328 Craigmont Rd. Black Mountain, NC 28711 (actual location - see picture) 1244 N. Fork Rd. Black Mountain, NC 28711 (Mailing Address). Telephone Number(s). Business: (828)669-8111 Fax: (828)846-9371. Phase II GroundBreaking at Camp Dorothy Walls Conference and Retreat Center HOTEL IS COMPLETE (Click here for more pics)

Copyright© 2005-09 - Thomas Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church Send comments to Webservant