Faith Temple Christian Methodist Episcopal Church

Did the vibrant hymns of Faith Temple Christian Methodist Episcopal Church ever reach the ears of those enslaved Africans who yearned for spiritual freedom? Faith Temple Christian Methodist Episcopal Church stands as a testament to their resilience and their unwavering faith. This church, born in 1870, rose from the ashes of the Civil War. It was established by 41 formerly enslaved African Americans. Initially named the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church, it embraced its current name in 1956. The church’s roots lie in a movement within the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. In 1866, this movement sought to create an independent church for Black members. Two bishops from the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, consecrated two Black elders as the first bishops of the new church. This marked the beginning of a powerful chapter in the story of Black Methodism. Faith Temple Christian Methodist Episcopal Church adheres to Methodist doctrine and governance. A general conference guides the church every four years. The church is structured into eleven episcopal districts. Nine districts are in the United States, while two are in Africa. In a significant move towards unity, the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church joined four other Black Methodist churches in 2012. Together, they entered into full communion with each other and the predominantly white United Methodist Church.