Union Church celebrates ‘100 Years of Praise and Worship'

Warwick — The Union African Methodist Episcopal Church, and its 100th Anniversary Committee, under the direction of Rev. Mashona Davis, celebrated “100 Years of Praise and Worship” at 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 3, at Crystal Springs on Route 94 and Chamonix Drive in Vernon, N.J. The church recognized the pastors who had served over the church’s 100 years, as well as the elders who presided during their commission. The Rev. Dr. Richard Franklin Norris, presiding prelate, was the keynote speaker at the gala banquet. The theme chosen was “Building on a Firm Foundation,” taken from the Bible, Matthew Chapter 16, verses 13 to 19. The committee invited every district of the New York Conference, especially the Bronx-Westchester District to which it belongs, to share in this historical event, a part of the African Methodist Episcopal Church history. The event chairpersons were Sister Mona Harris, Sister Leslie Reel, and Sister Gloria Washington Mines. Donations from those unable to attend are suggested at $25, $50, $75, or $100. For more information, call 469-3721, 987-7029, or 986-2277. Visit www.unionamechurch.org for other planned activities. The church has chosen the theme “Moving From Vision To Victory In Christ Jesus” for the 2006-2007 conference year. The goal is to build up their faith as they break ground for a new worship edifice, by increasing the opportunities and commitment to study, spreading the word of God, increasing conversions and accessions by 25 percent, and increasing the youth through partnerships. Union A.M.E. Church has relocated to Warwick Town Hall’s Senior Citizen Center, where services are being held while the new facility is being erected. n History of the church Union began as a mission in late 1904. A small group of people felt led by a deep spiritual conviction to establish a permanent church for people of African ancestry in Warwick. The list of founders included: Mrs. Ruth Garrison, Mr. and Mrs. Friedman Braxton, Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Teabout, Mr. and Mrs. Washington Booker, Miss Hannah Garrison, Mrs. Sarah Murray, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Garrison, Mr. Amos Duryea, Mr. and Mrs. George Duryea, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Mann, Mrs. Mary Lilland Terry and Mrs. Rose Rice. It appears that they met at the Demerest Hall and Eager’s building while a mission. In July 1905, Rev. J. J. Walters was assigned by the New York Annual Conference to pastor both Warwick and Chester. Soon after, in August of 1905, Rev. Joseph Stiles was assigned to Warwick with a mission to build a house of worship for the community of African ancestry. The pastor resided with the Braxtons of South Street. On October 1, 1905, a service was held at the Demerest Hall, which colored and white members of the community attended. At this service, Rev. Stiles announced the forming of the new church organization, and plans to build a house of worship. Rev. Minogue of the Catholic Church pledged financial support, as did Thomas Demerest, who consented to the continued use of his hall every first Sunday of each month. It was estimated that the new church would cost $1,500. In November of 1905, a piece of land was secured on McEwen St., and the foundation of 20 feet by 40 feet was laid. Henry Demerest gave lumber, and use of horses to haul sand was given by Frank Odell. Fanny Benedict gave stone for the foundation, and a team of horses. On December 17, 1905, the cornerstone was laid, and on the first Sunday in February 1906, the first worship service was held in the new building. The official incorporation of Union African Methodist Episcopal Church was completed in March 1906, and on Sunday, June 7, 1906, the church was dedicated. During the physical building of the church, a spiritual church was also growing. Records indicated 12 conversion, 15 accessions, 15 baptisms and 1 marriage occurred during the construction of the building. The pulpit Bible was given by Sarah Murray, and the pulpit by Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Teabout. New members and contributions during that first year included Rev. and Mrs. William Anderson, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Day, Mr. and Mrs. Clinton Shoemaker, Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Mann, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Jackson, Mrs. Julia Marshall, Miss Kitty Perry, Mrs. Hughes, and Mr. and Mrs. Albert Hicks. In August of 1906, Rev. Haynes became pastor. During the next 30 years, the church had its ups and downs. Some left for unknown reasons, and formed another mission under the Baptist supervision. In August of 1937, Rev. Oscar Palmer was assigned to Union at the order of Bishop Simms and Presiding Elder Manning. He stayed at the home of Rose Rice and Mrs. Garrison. The Baptist mission asked Rev. Palmer to preach for them on Sunday morning, and then preach for the evening worship service. He was able to convince the 25 persons at the Baptist mission to come back into the membership at Union. This took place on the first Sunday of January, 1938. During this time, the two stained glass windows were secured from the African Methodist Episcopal Church of Middletown. When Palmer left in August 1939, the church had a membership of 90 persons. From 1941 to 1960, John Logan was organist, followed by Bessie Stewart. Gearlin Logan was very active in the Sunday school and mission and Ida Bartow Hicks gave leadership in missionary work. Today, the Women’s Missionary at Union bears her name. During 1968, Union had been considered abandoned. Lois Jackson Dowdy, Mother Jackson’s daughter (Union’s church mother) led the church in securing a pastor, Rev. Simon P. Bouie, to reopen Union in October 1968. Refurbishing was undertaken with some financial assistance from St. James Mission. Services were held in Warwick Village Hall until renovations were completed. Union became alive again. Organizations grew under Rev. Bouie’s leadership. The Simon P. Bouie Fellowship Hall was built on the land donated in 1956 by Lulia Chandler. Rev. William D. Watley came to Union in 1972, and stayed until 1974. During this time Union peaked in membership; the church was vibrant and youth were every involved. Since then, Union has had ten pastors, namely: Rev. Forrest Worten (1974-1975), Rev. James Baptiste (1975-1977), Rev. James E.F. Lawrence (1977-1981), Rev. Joseph Ward (1981-1982), Rev. Reynold Smith (1982-1983), Rev. George Harmon (1983-1986), Rev. James Washington (1986), Rev. Benjamin Hill, Sr. (1986-1989), Rev. Paul S. Owings, Sr. (1989-1999), Rev. Ronald L. Ivey (1999-2004), and Rev. Mashona Walston Davis (2004 to present). Each pastor has made significant contributions to the growth of Union. During the time of Rev. Harmon, the mortgage on the parsonage was paid. When Rev. Paul Owings, Sr., was appointed pastor in 1989, the church experienced a ten-fold growth to seventy members. The following persons worked to keep the church alive: Mr. and Mrs. Daniel P. Clarke, Mr. & Mrs. Solomon Williams, Mr. & Mrs. Charles Snell, Lena Logan, Frances Ann Paige (granddaughter of Rev. William Anderson, one of the first pastors), Rachel White, and Elizabeth “Betty” Piggery. The current pastor, Rev. Mashona Walston Davis, is the first woman pastor at Union. Appointed in June 2004 by Bishop Zedekiah Grady, she was reappointed in 2005 and 2006 by Bishop Richard Franklin Norris. Under her leadership, the church continues to be a beacon light in the Village of Warwick.