ABOUT US

OUR CORE VALUES

EDIFY
EDIFY

Those who desire a relationship with Christ.

EMBRACE
EMBRACE

Individuals who need the community provided by church.

EMPOWER
EMPOWER

Its member to tell of the good works of Jesus Christ!.

OUR MISSION

It is our belief that God has called us to minister holistically to the masses. Therefore, it is our task by the grace of God to Edify the fallen, Embrace the faith, and Empower the follower as we unite together for Eternal life with the Father.
St. Stephens AME Zion Church is a place where we are service oriented; we serve the community spiritually by sharing the word of God, offering the clothing closet and food pantry and engaging in other ecumenical endeavors.  Everyone is welcome.
1 Peter 2:5 "You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices to God through Jesus Christ."

OUR HISTORY

In his book, "From Slavery to Freedom – A History of Negro American", Dr. John Hope Franklin said, "Perhaps the most powerful institution in the black’s world is the church. Barred from many areas of social and political life, blacks turned more and more to the church for self-expression, recognition and leadership. Nothing in their world was so completely their own as their church." This was the motivation for the founding of St. Stephens A.M.E. Zion Church, under the leadership of Reverend B.F. Marin in 1860. A temporary house in the shape of an arbor, which served as a church and a school, was built on the spot where St. Stephen’s stand today on Marietta Street.

Membership increased. A larger facility was needed. Land was purchased from S. Head for the sum of $43.00 in 1885. Trustees, Jerry Roberts, William House and John Elder signed the deed. The charter members were Mr. and Mrs. John Elder, Mr. and Mrs. Earl Sanders, Mr. and Mrs. Logan Enloe, Mr. and Mrs. Adolphus Rice, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Roberts, Mr. and Mrs. Williams Lockett, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Houston and Reverend and Mrs. B.F. Martin. These brave saints stepped out on faith and built a larger church.

Members continued on the spiritual journey under the leadership of many different pastors. Step by step the metamorphosis of St. Stephen’s took place. Many problems were overcome. A new structure was erected under the leadership of Reverend D.G. Moose for approximately $40,000 in 1927. Year after year improvements and additions were made. The vision and hard labor of Reverend A.C. Hunnicutt and other pastors made it possible for some large bills to be paid off.

In 1986, God blessed the church with a bright young visionary, Dr. Bernard Sullivan, Jr., an energetic, progressive pastor who would lead us into the new millennium. Plans to build a new church on Broad Street were changed when God dropped a "Golden Egg" right in our midst. An offer to purchase the old First Baptist Church on Franklin Blvd. On August 20, 2000 a giant step was taken when we moved into the new St. Stephens at Unity Place. A new, awesome venture, for a new age! A church that will reach out to embrace the entire city. A community church!

-Compiled by Julia Neal Sykes

MEET OUR TEAM

We are excited to connect with you about what our belief community has to offer. Check out or staff and how you can get engaged with us today!