Ward Chapel AME Church Memphis, Tennessee

History of Ward Chapel AMEC Memphis

Ward Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church

 

The History of those early years of the church could only be obtained through oral interviews of some of the past and present members of the church and community. Through many interviews and cross references, credible and viable conclusions were drawn to substantiate the early church history of the church.

 

Ward Chapel was first organized in 1900 in the Cane Creek Subdivision and in 1907, transitioned from this location to East Trigg and Hemlock Streets. In 1908, Brother Collins was instrumental in leading the
members in a financial effort to purchase lumber to build a one room sanctuary at 1372 Woodward Street. It was in this same year that Ward Chapel's first pastor, Reverend Ward, inspired the members to begin fundraising to build a facility with newer and more modern amenities. In 1909, at The West Tennessee Annual Conference, Rev. Shelton became the first pastor appointed by the Bishop to serve as the pastor of Ward Chapel Church and in 1919, the building was completed.

 

Among those who helped to shape the mission and guiding principles of Ward Chapel were the following founding members: Frank Brown, Charlie Threat, Rol Thomas, Rev. & Mrs. A.L Tooles, Gertrude Marshall, Maggie Miller, Mary Andrews and Mrs. Chambers.

 

Additionally, Ward Chapel has been blessed with gifted theologians who provided some of the most impeccable leadership in African Methodism. They were as follows: The Reverends S.W.G. Wilson, Rev.
Johnson, Winston and Murray, A.C. Butler, D.S. Ransaw, R.V. Vann, A.D. Brown, E. Coleman, Jr. W.E. Pruitt, Rev. Harding, LT. Jefferson, Hickman, H. T. Primm, N.L. Threat, E.K. Keyes, Rev. Harris, F.G.
Garrett, Robert McRae, E. A. Brown, M.M. Whitson, C.L. Byrd, J.C. Miller, Clay A. Holiday, Sr. and currently we are pastored by Rev. Eric J. Knowles who is a visionary leader with a dynamic gift for delivering electrifying messages to parishioners.

 

Rev. Frank G. Garret led the congregation to another level of God's divine mission, the purchase of
property at 1125 S. Parkway East where the erection of a more beautiful and more spacious structure
was completed in 1959. The mortgage to this property was burned during Rev. McRae's tenure at Ward
Chapel in 1969.

 

Rev. M. M. Whitson who was also a visionary leader and the members of Ward Chapel sponsored a variety of fundraisers for the purchasing of additional property for parking on the west side of the church. It was also during his administration that the bus ministry was originated. Additionally, the M.M. Whitson Gospel and the Male Chorus were established and they both remain as our most outstanding ministries today.

 

Rev. C.L. Byrd led the congregation in fostering the need for preparing for better parking facilities through the purchase of property on the east side of the church. This provides the necessary footage to expand the sanctuary as we continue church growth.