Mother African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
Encyclopedia
The Mother African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church (also known as "Mother Zion") is the oldest African-American church in New York City, as well as New York State. It is a New York City Designated Historic Site as of 1993. "Mother Zion" is located in the historic Harlem neighbourhood in the borough of Manhattan, at 140–148 West 137th Street.
, or A.M.E. Zion conference.
The building is neo-Gothic in style, similar to several other Protestant churches raised in Manhattan during the late 19th century and early 20th century. Mother Zion has an "auditorium" layout, of a type that was becoming popular with Protestant congregations at the time (rather than a "cross" form of layout, which has a deep chancel
for the altar, and a long nave
intersected by two transcepts). The seating is arranged in a wide arc around the altar and pulpit, and features a wide balcony on the second level, also in an arc layout. Seating capacity inside the church is about 1000.
in its orientation, racial segregation was still enforced in other ways. As one A.M.E. Zion historian described it: The founding bishop who led the congregation was James Varick
, whose tomb is located underneath the current building's sanctuary. The original congregation numbered about 100 members, who met in a rented hall. The congregation met at several other locations in Manhattan before settling at the present location of the Mother Zion church building.
The A.M.E. Zion conference was referred to nationally as the "Freedom Church" for its vital role in the United States Abolitionist
movement. The "Mother Zion" church was not only New York City's first African-American congregation, it was an "Underground Railway
" refuge. Sojourner Truth
was a member of the congregation, and spoke out from the pulpit against slavery. Harriet Tubman
and Frederick Douglass
were members of the A.M.E. Zion conference at other congregations. Mother Zion's identification with the abolitionist movement led to it being attacked by an anti-black mob during a three-day riot in 1834. Windows were smashed at Mother Zion, and several black and white churches were set ablaze. The July 12, 1834 New York Evening Post newspaper denounced the attacks as a "disgrace".
Mother Zion also became an important cultural centre for the city's African-American community. Paul Robeson
, brother of Pastor Dr. Benjamin C. Robeson, spoke from the pulpit. Dr. Robeson's activism for civil rights led him to work with prominent Harlem Renaissance
members such as Langston Hughes
and W.E.B. Dubois.
Today, the Mother Zion church continues to sponsor a variety of social programs aimed at assisting members of the congregation and the surrounding community. Several historic artifacts from the church's 200-year history are on display in the vestibule
.
The larger congregation of churches belonging to the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
today has around 1.3 million members in the United States, Canada, Africa and Latin America.
Building
The Mother African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church building was constructed between 1923 and 1925. The "Mother Zion" church building was designed by architect George W. Foster, Jr., who was one of the first registered African-American architects in the United States. The building is the sixth church building to house New York City's first black congregation. It is also the founding congregation of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion ChurchAfrican Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, or AME Zion Church, is a historically African-American Christian denomination. It was officially formed in 1821, but operated for a number of years before then....
, or A.M.E. Zion conference.
The building is neo-Gothic in style, similar to several other Protestant churches raised in Manhattan during the late 19th century and early 20th century. Mother Zion has an "auditorium" layout, of a type that was becoming popular with Protestant congregations at the time (rather than a "cross" form of layout, which has a deep chancel
Chancel
In church architecture, the chancel is the space around the altar in the sanctuary at the liturgical east end of a traditional Christian church building...
for the altar, and a long nave
Nave
In Romanesque and Gothic Christian abbey, cathedral basilica and church architecture, the nave is the central approach to the high altar, the main body of the church. "Nave" was probably suggested by the keel shape of its vaulting...
intersected by two transcepts). The seating is arranged in a wide arc around the altar and pulpit, and features a wide balcony on the second level, also in an arc layout. Seating capacity inside the church is about 1000.
History
The Mother A.M.E. Zion congregation was first formed in 1796 by African-American members of the predominantly white John Street Methodist Church. Although the John Street Methodist Church was AbolitionistAbolitionism
Abolitionism is a movement to end slavery.In western Europe and the Americas abolitionism was a movement to end the slave trade and set slaves free. At the behest of Dominican priest Bartolomé de las Casas who was shocked at the treatment of natives in the New World, Spain enacted the first...
in its orientation, racial segregation was still enforced in other ways. As one A.M.E. Zion historian described it: The founding bishop who led the congregation was James Varick
James Varick
James Varick was the first Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church.James Varick was born near Newburgh, New York, on January 10, 1750 and became the first black Methodist Episcopal Zion Bishop.-Background:...
, whose tomb is located underneath the current building's sanctuary. The original congregation numbered about 100 members, who met in a rented hall. The congregation met at several other locations in Manhattan before settling at the present location of the Mother Zion church building.
The A.M.E. Zion conference was referred to nationally as the "Freedom Church" for its vital role in the United States Abolitionist
Abolitionism
Abolitionism is a movement to end slavery.In western Europe and the Americas abolitionism was a movement to end the slave trade and set slaves free. At the behest of Dominican priest Bartolomé de las Casas who was shocked at the treatment of natives in the New World, Spain enacted the first...
movement. The "Mother Zion" church was not only New York City's first African-American congregation, it was an "Underground Railway
Underground railway
Underground railway may refer to:*The Underground Railroad, a network of clandestine routes by which African slaves in the 19th century United States attempted to escape*Rapid transit, urban railways that sometimes use tunnels...
" refuge. Sojourner Truth
Sojourner Truth
Sojourner Truth was the self-given name, from 1843 onward, of Isabella Baumfree, an African-American abolitionist and women's rights activist. Truth was born into slavery in Swartekill, New York, but escaped with her infant daughter to freedom in 1826. After going to court to recover her son, she...
was a member of the congregation, and spoke out from the pulpit against slavery. Harriet Tubman
Harriet Tubman
Harriet Tubman Harriet Tubman Harriet Tubman (born Araminta Harriet Ross; (1820 – 1913) was an African-American abolitionist, humanitarian, and Union spy during the American Civil War. After escaping from slavery, into which she was born, she made thirteen missions to rescue more than 70 slaves...
and Frederick Douglass
Frederick Douglass
Frederick Douglass was an American social reformer, orator, writer and statesman. After escaping from slavery, he became a leader of the abolitionist movement, gaining note for his dazzling oratory and incisive antislavery writing...
were members of the A.M.E. Zion conference at other congregations. Mother Zion's identification with the abolitionist movement led to it being attacked by an anti-black mob during a three-day riot in 1834. Windows were smashed at Mother Zion, and several black and white churches were set ablaze. The July 12, 1834 New York Evening Post newspaper denounced the attacks as a "disgrace".
Mother Zion also became an important cultural centre for the city's African-American community. Paul Robeson
Paul Robeson
Paul Leroy Robeson was an American concert singer , recording artist, actor, athlete, scholar who was an advocate for the Civil Rights Movement in the first half of the twentieth century...
, brother of Pastor Dr. Benjamin C. Robeson, spoke from the pulpit. Dr. Robeson's activism for civil rights led him to work with prominent Harlem Renaissance
Harlem Renaissance
The Harlem Renaissance was a cultural movement that spanned the 1920s and 1930s. At the time, it was known as the "New Negro Movement", named after the 1925 anthology by Alain Locke...
members such as Langston Hughes
Langston Hughes
James Mercer Langston Hughes was an American poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist. He was one of the earliest innovators of the then-new literary art form jazz poetry. Hughes is best known for his work during the Harlem Renaissance...
and W.E.B. Dubois.
Today, the Mother Zion church continues to sponsor a variety of social programs aimed at assisting members of the congregation and the surrounding community. Several historic artifacts from the church's 200-year history are on display in the vestibule
Vestibule
Vestibule or Vestibulum can have the following meanings, each primarily based upon a common origin, from early 17th century French, derived from Latin vestibulum, -i n. "entrance court".-Anatomy:...
.
The larger congregation of churches belonging to the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, or AME Zion Church, is a historically African-American Christian denomination. It was officially formed in 1821, but operated for a number of years before then....
today has around 1.3 million members in the United States, Canada, Africa and Latin America.
See also
- African Methodist Episcopal Zion ChurchAfrican Methodist Episcopal Zion ChurchThe African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, or AME Zion Church, is a historically African-American Christian denomination. It was officially formed in 1821, but operated for a number of years before then....
- James VarickJames VarickJames Varick was the first Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church.James Varick was born near Newburgh, New York, on January 10, 1750 and became the first black Methodist Episcopal Zion Bishop.-Background:...
- Underground railroadUnderground RailroadThe Underground Railroad was an informal network of secret routes and safe houses used by 19th-century black slaves in the United States to escape to free states and Canada with the aid of abolitionists and allies who were sympathetic to their cause. The term is also applied to the abolitionists,...
- African-American church
- Harriet TubmanHarriet TubmanHarriet Tubman Harriet Tubman Harriet Tubman (born Araminta Harriet Ross; (1820 – 1913) was an African-American abolitionist, humanitarian, and Union spy during the American Civil War. After escaping from slavery, into which she was born, she made thirteen missions to rescue more than 70 slaves...
- Harlem RenaissanceHarlem RenaissanceThe Harlem Renaissance was a cultural movement that spanned the 1920s and 1930s. At the time, it was known as the "New Negro Movement", named after the 1925 anthology by Alain Locke...
- List of New York City Designated Landmarks in Manhattan above 110th Street
External links
- African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church (official Website) http://www.amez.org/news/index.php
- Harriet Tubman Home http://www.harriethouse.org/