Congregation breaks ground for new church

Warwick - Bishop Richard Franklin Norris of the First Episcopal District handed the ceremonial shovel to each public official, members of the clergy, and others as he invited them one by one to join him in turning a spadeful of earth on the proposed site of the new Union African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church. “If I can get enough of you, we can dig the foundation today,” the bishop offered, drawing laughter from crowd. On Saturday, July 7, Norris, Pastor Vernon Peters, members and past pastors of Union African Methodist Episcopal Church, local officials, pastors from several other churches, members of the Historical Society of the Town of Warwick, local residents and other special guests assembled outside the old church building at 98 McEwen St. to witness an historic event: The official groundbreaking for the congregation’s new church. Last year an engineering report had all but condemned the historic church building which had served the congregation since 1906. The only solution was to replace it with a new facility estimated to cost from $500,000 to $600,000. The Union AME Church, which is supported by the 40 families who form the congregation, recently closed on its building loan of $300,000 from Key Bank and although still short of its goal, sufficient funds from contributions are available to begin the project. The original church building had served the congregation for more than 101 years. In October 1905, Rev. Joseph Stiles, who had been assigned to Warwick with a mission to build a house of worship for people of African ancestry, spoke at a special service attended by both black and white members of the community. Stiles announced the forming of a new church organization and plans for its house of worship. The Warwick community responded generously and the cornerstone for the building was laid two months later on Dec. 17, 1905. By 1968, however, Union AME had fallen into disrepair and was considered abandoned. But in what he described on Saturday as a calling from God, Rev. Simon Bouie, who served as a chaplain for the New York State Training School for Boys (now the Mid-Orange Correctional Facility), was given the enormous task of refurbishing and revitalizing the Church. The recent groundbreaking is considered a testimonial to his success along with significant contributions made by those pastors who followed in his footsteps. The Historical Society of the Town of Warwick believes the historic original building can and should be preserved. Once a site is obtained, a professional building moving company will literally move the building down McEwen Street to its new location. According to Peters, the design of the new facility, traditional and similar to the older building in style, will accommodate 250 people. The original building could only hold 64. Any person, business or organization wishing to help the Union African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME) reach its building fund goal should call 986-3649. Donations can be mailed to Union AME Church, attention: Building Committee, P.O. Box 352, Warwick, NY 10990.