By Delanda S. Johnson/Special to HCN
In the wake of what some may call “Domestic Terrorism or a Hate Crime,” the African Methodist Episcopal Church will stand strong in its FAITH.
This was not more evident on Saturday, June 20, in Houston, Texas at St. Paul AME Church where Rev. Roderick Dawson serves as Pastor.
Rev. Dawson stated, “with a rich history and great legacy of the African Methodist Episcopal Church still stands a vital institution that revolutionizes society and transforms lives. With this project, “The AME Churches of Texas” it gives us a glimpse of the works and efforts of each congregation in Texas. With much dedication over 200 ministries have had a profound impact on Texas for nearly 150 years and I believe the future looks better. My prayer is that you are tremendously blessed as I am to be (1.) a Christian and (2.) an A. M. E.”
Dr. Linda Bell Robinson a member of St. Paul AME had a vision of letting the world know about the rich, courageous, brave, and spiritual people the African Methodist Episcopal Church especially in Texas. She solicited the help of all the churches in the great State of Texas to help with this project. “The AME Churches of Texas project is an ongoing endeavor to provide information about the Texas African Methodist Episcopal churches, in order to encourage awareness, as well as to encourage dialogue about these historical edifices. At the same time, the aim is to learn about those trailblazers who left legacies for each of us to dwell on,” said Dr. Robinson.
Dr. Robinson, graduated from the Educational Leadership Doctoral Program at Sam Houston State University. She received her Master and Bachelor of Arts degrees from Texas Southern University and retired from the Harris County District Attorney’s office.
There are four District in the Texas: North Texas Conference, Northwest Texas Conference, Southwest Texas Conference, and Texas Conference; all under the leadership of the Presiding Prelate Rt. Rev. Vashti Murphy McKenzie. Bishop McKenzie was the first female to be elect 117th Bishop of the AME Church and has served Texas from 2012 until present.
As part of the North Texas Conference Tyler District under the leadership of Rev. Darrell Caldwell, Sr., it was this reporter’s pleasure to be a part of this wonderful project. As a member of Johnson Chapel AME Church in Malakoff, Texas was Rev. Linda Ross is the current Pastor, it too has a rich history. Established in the year 1897 by Dan Blair, John Richardson, and Abe Johnson on his farm, Johnson Chapel has withstood moving from the country to town, high water, a storm, and being destroyed by fire. But as the songwriter (Bishop Paul Morton) says, “We are still standing.”
The program at St. Paul AME Church in Houston had many cultural avenues that consisted with the AME theme. Exhibits that gave achievement of all the Texas AME Bishops starting Rt. Rev. Jabez Pitt Campbell the 8th District Bishop of the AMEC from (1866-1868) to the current Presiding Prelate Rt. Rev. Vashti Murphy McKenzie (2012-present). There were only seven Bishops who served Texas eight years; Rt. Rev. Evans Tyree (1904-1912); Rt. Rev. William D. Johnson (1920-1928); Rt. Rev. Joseph Gomez (1948-1956); Rt. Rev. Odie L. Sherman (1964-1972); Rt. Rev. John H. Adams (1972-1980); Rt. Rev. John Richard Bryant (1991-2000) and Rt. Rev. Gregory Gerald McKinley Ingram (2001-2012). Other Bishops who served are: six years; Rt. Rev. Moses B. Salter (1898-1904); Rt. Rev. William S. Brooks (1928-1934) and the longest for fourteen years Rt. Rev. George B. Young (1934-1948).
The program consisted of the ladies who were in costume as a zebra, giraffe, and an exotic bird all from Africa. The ladies of St. Paul dressed in their African attire and marched in to songs, music, and dances of Africa.
Rev. I. B. Wells, Jr. former Pastor of Johnson Chapel AMEC in Malakoff and current Pastor of Stearn Chapel AMEC in Bryan, Tx., stated that he was happy to be apart of two churches with rich histories and people of FAITH.
“As the former Pastor of Johnson Chapel AMEC, the members are humble people. They always greet everyone with a smile and they are very active in their community and in Henderson County. As for my members at Stearn Chapel AMEC, you cannot find a more gracious, caring, and steadfast set of people who are willing to go the extra mile. It was indeed a great pleasure to be apart of this Historical Exhibit of Texas AME Churches presented by St. Paul AME Church. We as African Methodist Episcopal Church members are empowered to help the needy, feed the hungry, and to welcome anyone into the arms of Jesus Christ whom souls maybe lost.”
