A beacon of faith rises before us Coggins Memorial Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. This church stands as a testament to the enduring power of community and spiritual devotion. Today we’ll explore its story and the legacy it carries within Detroit.
Coggins Memorial Christian Methodist Episcopal Church is more than just a building. It is located in Wayne County Michigan. The church sits at an elevation of 606 feet. Its precise location is N42.38200 degrees and W82.99500 degrees according to the USGS topographic map.
The story of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church began in 1870. It was a time of immense social change in the aftermath of the Civil War. Forty-one formerly enslaved members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South gathered in Jackson Tennessee. They sought to create their own space for worship and fellowship. They desired a church established after their own ideas.
From this meeting the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church was born. It stands as a branch of Wesleyan Methodism. John Wesley founded Methodism in England in 1844. It then was established in America in 1784. The CME Church adheres to the basic tenets of historic Methodism. It welcomes all who desire to flee from the wrath to come. It saves people from their sins.
The CME Church believes in Jesus Christ. He is the Incarnate Son of God. His life teachings sacrificial death and glorious resurrection reconciled humankind to God. Jesus overcame sin and conquered death. He procured eternal salvation for all who believe. The Holy Spirit empowers the church to preach the Gospel. The church fulfills its mission to save and serve all humankind. The Bible is the inspired Word of God.
The Christian Methodist Episcopal Church emerged during Reconstruction. It was a period of transformation. Before this native Africans were enslaved. They were captured and transported to America under terrible conditions. Slavery became integral to the American way of life. Even Christian churches in the South approved and advocated slavery.
The Methodist Episcopal Church South separated from the Methodist Church in 1844. The separation was over the issue of slavery. By 1860 it had more enslaved members than any other religious denomination. After the Civil War the General Conference of the M. E. Church South addressed the religious interests of its colored members.
Leaders like Isaac Lane and Lucius Holsey expressed the desire for a separate organization. James E. Evans recognized this desire. The General Conference authorized the bishops to organize their colored members into their own separate ecclesiastical jurisdiction. Between 1866 and 1870 the bishops carried out these instructions. In 1870 the 41 former slaves organized their own independent Colored Methodist Episcopal Church. The name changed to Christian Methodist in 1954. William Henry Miles and Richard H. Vanderhorst were elected as the first bishops.
Today the CME Church has eleven Episcopal Districts. Nine are in the Continental United States and two are in Africa. A bishop elected by the General Conference presides over each Episcopal District. Connectional departments carry out the ministries of the church. These include Christian Education discipleship evangelism and missions.
The CME Church supports theological and liberal arts education. Its theological school is Phillips School of Theology in Atlanta Georgia. It sponsors four liberal arts colleges. These are Lane College Paine College Miles College and Texas College. The Connectional Headquarters and publishing operations are in Memphis Tennessee.
Coggins Memorial Christian Methodist Episcopal Church stands as a local expression of this history. The church continues to be a place of worship community and service. It stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. As we leave Coggins Memorial Christian Methodist Episcopal Church may we carry with us its message of faith resilience and commitment to serving humankind.