“Colored Peoples Meeting House” was its original name. Now known as Lakeville A.M.E. Zionist Church. It stands as a testament to faith and freedom.
Lakeville A.M.E. Zionist Church was established in 1820. It is more than just a church. It is a historical landmark. The church’s story began as the “Colored Peoples Meeting House.” This name reflects its origins. It was a place of worship for people of color.
The church’s early days are tied to the Valley Road Community. This community thrived in the 1700s and 1800s. It was a place where enslaved and free Black and Indigenous people lived. They intermarried. They developed their own unique culture.
Moses and Susannah Coss were key figures. They moved from Queens. In 1821, they established a congregation. Their home became a safe haven. It welcomed enslaved people. It welcomed free Black people. It welcomed Indigenous worshippers.
New York began to abolish slavery in 1799. Slavery officially ended in 1827. The Valley Road Community grew. Freed people came seeking land. They wanted homes. Mohawk George B. Smith led the community. The town of Lakeville was founded. Indigenous peoples and the formerly enslaved shared their cultures. They celebrated an Autumn festival each September. They also enjoyed clamming on Lake Success.
In 1831, the congregation bought land. They built a church in 1833. It was initially known as the “Colored Peoples Meeting House.” Later, it became Lakeville AME Zion Church. The name recognized its roots. It honored the Queens AME church. It honored legacies of Black freedom. It also honored inclusivity.
Lakeville A.M.E. Zionist Church played a crucial role. It was a place where families united. Politics were discussed. Leaders emerged. In 1867, about 30 families built a school next to the church. It was the first free Black school in Nassau County. It was named “The Colored Children, Institution, U.S.A.”
Today, the original wooden-frame church is still in use. It is one of the oldest Black churches on Long Island. A graveyard sits nearby. Civil War veterans rest there. Spanish-American War veterans rest there too.
Lakeville A.M.E. Zionist Church stands as a beacon. It represents light. It represents love. It represents hope. The church continues its mission. It spreads the gospel of Jesus Christ. It helps people find God’s purpose in their lives. The church develops ministries. These ministries enhance relationships with Jesus.
Although services are currently held in the parsonage during renovations, the spirit of Lakeville A.M.E. Zionist Church remains strong. It is a testament to community. It is a testament to perseverance. It is a testament to faith. It is a place where history lives. It is a place where hope flourishes.