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Home : Quarterly Archives : Volume 4 |
Tredyffrin Easttown Historical Society |
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Source: January 1941 Volume 4 Number 1, Pages 14–17 Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church The year in which Mt. Zion started is uncertain. About 1849 or 1850, some devout colored folk recognized the necessity of a church near Centreville. Beginning with cottage prayer meetings, the group was organized in the home of Henry and Sarah Roach, Hammer Hollow. Services were conducted by Nelson Hughes, a local preacher. Then meetings were held for a time in a shop near the present location at Devon. The name of the organization was Centreville Circuit, which comprised Phoenixville, Centreville and Valley Hill. Among the founders were Henry and Sarah Roach, Moses Crooks, Lewis Draper, Hector and Julia Mullen, June Crumbles, Nelson and Liza Hughes, Simon and Binie Tittle, Mary Ann McClane, James and Elizabeth Hitch, Eric Brown, Benjamin Ross, the Van Leers, Johnsons, Gloscoms, Dills, Boggs, and Hippies, Henry and Sarah Jacobs. The ground on which the church is built was owned by Wayne Pennell's grandfather, Jonathan T. Lewis. "This indenture made the thirtieth day of January in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred fifty-six A. D. between Jonathan Lewis, of Tredyffrin Township, Chaster County, and State of Pennsylvania, of the one part, and Henry Roach, Moses Crooks and Lewis Draper, Trustees in trust for the use and purposes hereinafter mentioned, all of the County of Chester, State of Pennsylvania, aforesaid, of the other part. Purchased for the sum of $50.00".
Old A.M.E. Church The church building at Devon began under the pastorate of Rev. Nelson Hughes and Rev. Charles Boardley. Work was interrupted by the Civil War, but continued thereafter, under the direction of Rev. W. H. Davis, who completed the first church. The cornerstone was laid in 1861. In accordance with Methodist custom, pastors have frequently changed, and regrettably, the years of their connection have not always been given. Some names listed are Revs. Bolten, Campbell, and Bill. Others, approximate time of their service and their accomplishments, are:
Rev. J. B. Hill - 1886 Rev. Charles H. Fareira began a five year pastorate in 1902. He put in a basement, and left $400 in bank for the cemetery. Rev. E. T. C. Bruce came in 1908 and stayed four years. He installed electric lights, fenced the cemetery, and instituted the Harvest Home. Rev. Fareira returned in 1912 for a two year term, during which time he raised $500 for a parsonage. Rev. J. L. H. Watkins, who served the next two years, purchased the parsonage, on Walnut Avenue, Berwyn. Rev. R. F. Wright came in 1916 and stayed until 1920. He built a garage and left $400 in bank. Rev. W. R. Gullins stayed one year, and carpeted the church. Rev. W. H. Coffee served two years, and installed a new heater. Rev. J. A. Thomas served 2 years and eight months, and remodeled the parsonage. After his death, Charles Shepherd, local deacon, who had been licensed to preach April 29, 1907, supplied as pastor. Rev. J. R. Johnson served seven years, during which time much was accomplished. The church was renovated and all debts paid. New windows were presented by families of the church. They are in honor of John Steel, Mrs. Dyson, Hector and Mary Mullen, Henry Jacobs and family, Jennie Showell, Harvey Collins and family, Charles F. Smith and family, John and Eliza Finer, Stewart and Sallie Hearn, George Hitchins, Robert Weldon, George and Alice Ricketts, the I. W. M. W. Club, and the Senior Choir. The following served one year each: Revs. W. L. Johnson, M. W. Frazier, J. R. Reed, and H. L. Hughes, which brings us to 1937 and Rev. J. R. Fortune, the present pastor. He has beautified the church auditorium and basement, parsonage, cemetery, installed a new heater, put on a new roof, re-carpeted the church, paid off two mortgages, back taxes and all outstanding debts. There is no record of the number of members at organization. In 1891 there were fifty members and six probationers. At the first Quarterly Conference, held August 31, 1898, 78 members were reported, an increase of 5, 12 probationers, 2 baptisms, 89 Sunday School pupils, $21.29 collection, 305 books in the library. At that time, the stewards wore Bros. John Finer, Charles Weldon, Rodger Ballot, Addison Price, and John Tunnell. Rev. I. H. W, West was pastor, and Theodore Gould P. E. On November 12, 1898, the following was reported, "Peace and unity prevails in the church. Prayer and praise service held in S. S. 1st Sunday in each month. The school is in a good growing condition." In 1901, we find 103 members and 25 probationers. "The church in quiet peace and harmonie and a very good condition, showing that there was no fall off during the Quarter." Some of the earliest probationers were Horace Durrell, 3-6-80 and Minnie Delaware, 3-9-80, Caesar, Mary and Kansas Van Leer, the first two dated 7-7-89, tho last 3-2-90. The first baptism on record is that of Margaret L. Sherman, March 16, 1890. The first marriages is that of Larkin Ford and Patty Young, October 24, 1898. The first death recorded was Simon Tittle, separated this life March 11, 1890, aged about 108, buried at Strafford. Mrs. John Piner, now 92, is the oldest living member, her connection lasting 65 years. Her husband served as steward for a long time. The date of the founding of the Sunday School is uncertain. Mrs. Mollie Hopkins states she has attended 67 years. It must therefore date back to at least 1883. Charles Shepherd has been superintendent since 1894, and Thomas Massey is assistant superintendent. There are many organizations. The oldest is that of the Trustee Board, which has carried on for eighty-three years. The first trustees were Henry Roach, Moses Crooks and Lewis Draper. David Tunnell is president at this time. The Lillian Derrick Mite Missionary Society was organized in 1902. Mrs. Mollie Hopkins is the president. The First Male Usher Board was organized in 1916, and the female usher board in 1920. Later they were combined. George Rogers is president. There are two stewardess' boards. Cora Weldon is president of No. 1, Emma Caulk is president of No. 2. A Junior Missionary Society was organized in the early 1920's. Mrs. Ollietta Rogers is the supervisor. The Willing Workers Club was organized in June, 1927, as an aide of the trustees. Emma Caulk is president.
Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church The Pastor's Aid was organized in 1935. Hattie Weldon is president. The colored race is deeply religious. A feature is the camp meeting held each year in late August. Various organizations take charge each evening, and there is a friendly rivalry in conducting the best service. Each Sunday there is not only Sunday School and church, but a class meeting resembling the old fashioned testimony meeting. Prayers are fervent. In the back of one of the record books is this statement: John Tunnell was born at Horntown, Maryland, January 30, 1833, converted in New Centreville A.M.E. Church, Chester Co., Pa., December 5, 1865. Convicted while Rev. Abram Cassey was preaching. Rev. Wm. H. Norris was Pastor of the church. The above information was given me while he was sick in bed by himself at Mt. Pleasant, March 5, 1898, and fastened in the church register for future reference. (S.) Rev. B.F.Lloyd. The church today is the original building, with additions. It has 147 members, 75 in the Sunday School. The financial condition is excellent. In 1939 nearly $5,000 was raised, $4,935.49 to be exact, and $3,327.09 spent, hence at the close of the year, there was a balance of $1.608.40, truly a splendid record. The church maintains its own parsonage. The Sunday School has a library of several hundred books. Entertainments and suppers have been a large part of the church activities. Mt. Zion A. M. E. is steadily growing, both spiritually and materially. |
