HISTORY OF THE ST. JOHN A.M.E. ZION CHURCH

St. John A.M.E. Zion Church, located at the corner of East Avenue and Genung Street, had its beginnings over one hundred and forty years ago. The forerunner of St. John African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church was incorporated November 20, 1861 as the Methodist Episcopal Zion Church of Middletown. The church was dormant for a time after having held services for a period in a house at East Avenue and Water (later Fulton) Street. In 1871, interest was revived under the pastorship of Rev. Lewis B. Henry, who remained until the Spring of 1873.

Funds were raised with the help of the townspeople and on July 6, 1871 the corner stones of the old church on East Avenue were laid. Horace Greeley gave lectures for the benefit of the church, which was completed and dedicated October 29, 1871.

By 1923, the old church, built 52 years earlier, was no longer adequate for the growing congregation and there was a need for a kitchen and dining room facilities which the old building lacked. The Rev. A. H. Pagan, pastor, announced in early March of 1923 that architect Edwin P. Valkenburg had prepared a sketch for a new building and those members had pledged $1800 towards a construction fund.

The building was completed and opened in 1924 at the corner of 85-87 East Avenue and Everett Street (no longer exists) where it remained until 1962. At that time the building was located in the Urban Renewal Demolition Area and was raised, placed on wheels and transported one block south to the corner of Genung Street; its current location. In May 1962 the church building was placed on a new foundation, renovated and improved.