By Delanda S. Johnson/Johnson Chapel AME
Last Sunday, Aug. 25, Johnson Chapel AME Church celebrated its Church Homecoming. The church was established in 1897 in the Cedar Creek bottom under a brush arbor on the Abe Johnson’s farm.
Throughout its existence, the church has gone through many disasters. In 1926, the church was divided because of high water and bad roads. Johnson Chapel members remain in the same church building. Others established a church in Trinidad that’s known today as Mt. Vernon AME Church for convenience.
In 1938, the Johnson Chapel members tore down the church and built a small church in Malakoff with kerosene lamps for lighting.
In 1944-45, Rev. S. V. Johnson was assigned as Pastor. Since he was a carpenter, he began to rebuild the church and modern conveniences were added. In 1969, the church was destroyed by fire in which Rev. J. R. Roberts was pastor and services were held at New Hope CME Church in Malakoff.
In 1970, Rev. L. R. Kindred was assigned as pastor and he called the members together to discuss the building of a new church. The new church was completed on Nov. 9, 1970 and it still stands today, better than ever.
Today, Johnson Chapel AME Church has Rev. I. B. Wells, Jr. as its pastor. Rev. Wells has been at Johnson Chapel since 2010. The church is now focused on rebuilding a relationship with the local community and ensuring everyone is kept in the loop with the upcoming events. On member of the congregation recently suggested the new ‘apps for churches‘ that are available, which I think will be discussed in next weeks meeting. However back to homecoming this week.. with the congregation singing praising songs onto the Lord in celebration the program moved forward with a warm greeting from Sis. Coella Wells.
Rev. Rick Barnes from Fort Worth, a descent of the Abe Johnson family, expressed his excitement for being at Johnson Chapel.
“This is my first time coming to this event and I am happy to be here to see the legacy go on,” said Rev. Barnes.
Other descents of Abe Johnson were present and acknowledged the passing of Sis. Carrie Morgan who was the monarch of the family.
The speaker was Rev. Ray C. Emanuel from Rice Chapel AME Church in Dallas. He questioned the congregation with “Am I my brother’s keeper?” The meaning being after 116 years, the church is yet still alive and well.
Even though Rev. Emanuel was to speak, due to illness he passed torch on to one of his Associate pastors, Rev. Robert Jackson. Rev. Jackson, a well-seasoned minister, spoke from a familiar book in the bible Genesis 4:9-10.
Rev. Jackson let our spiritual minds go to Cain and Abel. This was about the battle of two brothers which ended up in murder. Rev. Jackson asked the congregation if they take time out of their busy schedule to check on other church members; to see if they are in need of help. Do you have the Cain and Abel attitude?
Are you looking out for others and/or you killing the church by just thinking of only yourself.
“God sees all and knows all. You can’t hide from God. We must have the attitude of ‘He ain’t heavy, He’s my brother,’” said Rev. Jackson.
At the end of the program, Rev. Wells presented the Rev. G. B. Bailey award to Sis. Nettie Bea Anderson for her community service and helping Johnson Chapel whenever there is a need.
