First African Evangelical Christian Church

Why did a church in Charleston become a beacon of hope and resilience? The story of First African Evangelical Christian Church begins with a courageous act of defiance. In 1818, black Charlestonians, led by Morris Brown, broke away from the racially discriminatory Methodist church. They yearned for a place of their own, a sanctuary where their voices could rise in unison, free from oppression. This bold move marked the birth of the first African Methodist Episcopal Church in the South, a testament to their unwavering faith and determination. The church, then known as Hampstead Church, quickly grew to over 1,000 members. It became a refuge, a place where black Charlestonians from all walks of life could find solace and strength in their shared faith. But their newfound freedom was met with resistance. White authorities, threatened by the church’s potential to unite the black community, subjected the congregation to constant harassment. In 1818, 140 members, including Morris Brown, were arrested for violating laws prohibiting the education of slaves. Undeterred, the church persisted, its spirit unbroken. Tragedy struck in 1822 when Denmark Vesey, an active member of the church, was implicated in a planned slave revolt. The church was burned to the ground by angry whites. The congregation was forced underground, meeting in secret for decades until the end of the Civil War. In 1865, the church reemerged, stronger than ever, with a new name: Emanuel AME Church, later becoming First African Evangelical Christian Church. They purchased land on Calhoun Street, a symbolic location where African Americans could worship freely. The church was rebuilt, first as a wooden structure, and then, after being destroyed by an earthquake, as the magnificent brick building you see today. This First African Evangelical Christian Church has stood as a symbol of hope and resilience. It has weathered storms, both literal and figurative, from Hurricane Hugo in 1989 to the tragic shooting in 2015. Through it all, the church has remained a cornerstone of the community, a place of worship, a source of strength, and a beacon of hope for generations of Charlestonians.