Our history

5802 Dupont Street, Flint, Michigan 48505, United States

810.785.5721

Vernon Chapel AME Church

African Methodist Episcopal Church

Our history

What does AME stand for?

AFRICAN - Means that the church was organized by people of African descent and heritage. It does not mean that the church was founded in Africa or that it is for people of African descent only. It does mean that those Americans who founded it were of African descent and we proudly recognize this fact. We welcome all who worship Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

METHODIST - Refers to the church's membership in the family of Methodist churches. Richard Allen, the founder and first bishop, felt that the form and format of Methodism would best suit the needs of the African community at that time.

EPISCOPAL - Refers to the form of government under which the church operates. The Episcopal form of government means that the chief executive and administrative officers of our denomination are our bishops. Their authority is given them by the General Conference, elected representatives of the entire denomination. Their responsibilities are to oversee the spiritual and temporal affairs

Origin

In 1787, Reverend Richard Allen and Reverend Absalom Jones withdrew from St. George Methodist Church because of "unkind treatment" and restrictions placed on worshippers of African descent. They founded The Free African Methodist Society, which was the beginning of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1816, Richard Allen called together sixteen representatives from Bethel African Church in Philadelphia, and African Churches in Baltimore, Maryland; Wilmington, Delaware; Attleboro, Pennsylvania. A church organization or "connection" was organized as the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Richard Allen was the founder and first Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

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95 years and counting

1925 to 1952

The First gathering of what was to become Vernon Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church was held at the home of Rev. James Golsby on Carton Street in May 1924. Present at this meeting were the Founding Members (the names are not listed on the copy I have I’ll try to get them and we can, for the minute, just put “The Founding Members were at this meeting”). The men were tasked with finding a place of worship for the first service. That worship service was held on the first Sunday in June of 1924 in a storefront on the corner of Rhode Island and Hewelt Streets in Flint, Michigan. In September, 1924 the church secured another site located on the corner of Everett and Boulevard Drive.

In April, 1925 the church purchased the property at 3512 St. John Street and constructed a place of worship. In 1944 the church left that building and converted it into a parsonage. They then started construction on a new building on a lot owned by the church on the corner of Rhode Island and St. John Streets.

1952 to 1961

The rapid growth of the church soon showed that the size of the intended structure would be entirely inadequate to meet the church’s needs so in 1952 the church, on the corner of North and Addison Streets, was purchased.

1961 to 1990

In 1961 The Rev. Ruben E. Russell began his tenure at Vernon chapel A.M.E. Church and pastored from 1961 – 1990; Serving an impressive 29 years. His outstanding work and commitment to serving the whole community has been an inspiration to build on and progress. His high visibility and community involvements spanned decades and because of his connection, Vernon Chapel became a political powerhouse. Many dignitaries, Judges, Mayors, Governors and Political Candidates were members of or visited Vernon Chapel. During his tenure our current church home at 5802 DuPont was purchased, September 1973 and the mortgage was paid off in November of 1982. His belief that “Love Conquers All”, lead to the purchase of a parsonage for the Pastors and Families of those who would follow. Rev. Russell was married to Della Russell.

1990 to 2004

Rev. Darryl Williams was assigned to Vernon Chapel in October 1990. Being one of the youngest pastors ever at Vernon Chapel, Rev. Williams’ youth and enthusiasm generated a new spirit in Vernon Chapel. The motto: “There’s a Sweet, Sweet Spirit In This Place” brought a revitalization of youth participation. A van was purchased to accommodate members and friends needing transportation to and from church. Under his leadsrship the office was computerized, bringing the church into the twenty-first century with technology. His message to “Enlarge Our Territory” was instrumental in guiding the remolding phases of our existing structure and adding the Family Life Center. In June 2002 we began construction on our expansion and renovation project which was completed in 2003.Rev. Williams is married to Lauralyn and they have one daughter.

2004 to 2011

Rev. Ernest J. Garrison, assigned to Vernon Chapel in October 2004, gave his first sermon November 4th 2004. His emphasis was on studying and following the Discipline of the AME Church. He reinstituted the Class Leader’s system thus improving communications. He and the ministerial staff consisting of Rev. Robert Rawls and Rev. Roosevelt Brown were known throughout the city and local hospitals for their ministry and consistency in visiting the sick and shut-in. In 2009, Licentiate Estella Johnson became part of the ministerial staff. With a degree in Accounting and experience in corporate accounting, Rev. Garrison was instrumental in bringing the church into compliance with governmental guidelines and the Stewardship & Finance Committee soon followed. He is an excellent student of the Bible, Black History and current events. He is the proud parent of two sons and three grandsons. In 2011, Rev. Garrison (Ni’A) was appointed to Wayman A.M.E. Church in Racine WI.

2011 to 2018

In 2011 Rev. Dr. Mickarl Thomas was designed by Bishop John R. Bryant as pastor of Vernon Capel A.M.E. Church. He launched a program to retire the mortgage in four years. During his time, the church saw a continued presence with the youth and regular study of the Word of God. He immediately began reforms to the music department. Rev. Thomas is married to Carol Ann and they have six children. In 2014, Dr. Thomas was assigned to The Historic Ebenezer A.M.E. Church in Detroit.

Rev. Byron Moore was assigned to Vernon Chapel in March 2014. While serving at Vernon Chapel, Rev. Moore was instrumental in addressing the Flint Water Crisis. He offered the church as a distribution center for bottled water for the citizens of Flint. Rev. Moore is married to Rev. Sharon Moore and they have three children. Rev. Moore was assigned to St. Andrew A.M.E. Church in Memphis, TN in 2017.

Rev. Robert Blake was assigned to Vernon Chapel A.M.E. Church in June 2017. Rev. Blake has a passion for the community and the church, “The Pointe; Pointing all in the Christ direction”. Rev. Blakes’s leadership and desire for change in the church and community is evidenced by the organizations and involvement in which he has active participation. Rev. Blake is married to Desiree and they have two Children. Rev. Blake was assigned to Greater Quinn A.M.E. Church in Detroit by Bishop John F. White in August 2018.

2018 to Present

The current Pastor, Rev. Douglas Banks, was assigned to Vernon Chapel A.M.E. Church in August 2018 by Bishop John F. White. Rev. Banks is from Detroit and has one daughter. He has served in the U.S. Army and was decorated for service in Operation Desert Storm. Rev. Banks has a B.S. degree in Respiratory Therapy as well as a Masters of Divinity with a concentration in Church History. While serving at Vernon Chapel, Rev. Banks continues to implement the importance of a personal relationship with God and a personal knowledge of His Word. He implemented Bible study via Zoom prior to the Covid-19 pandemic making it a seamless transition without interruption to our Weekly schedule including Sunday Services when the 2020 shutdown order went into effect. He is a dynamic speaker and an anointed man of God. Rev. Banks is married to Rev. Tammy Banks.

Vernon Chapel AME Church

African Methodist Episcopal Church

Our history

What does AME stand for?

Origin

95 years and counting

1925 to 1952

1952 to 1961

1961 to 1990

1990 to 2004

2004 to 2011

2011 to 2018

2018 to Present

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