African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME):  http://www.ame-church.com/

Seventh Episcopal District, 110 Pisgah Church Road, Columbia, SC 29203, 803-935-0500, fax 935-0830, Carmen Thomas (Executive Assistant to the Bishop) at carment@amec7thdist.org, Marcia Fugh (AMEC Online Support) at carment@amec7thdist.org 

• The AMEC grew out of the Free African Society (FAS) which Richard Allen, Absalom Jones, and others established in Philadelphia in 1787. When officials at St. George’s MEC pulled blacks off their knees while praying, FAS members discovered just how far American Methodists would go to enforce racial discrimination against African Americans. Hence, these members of St. George’s made plans to transform their mutual aid society into an African congregation. Although most wanted to affiliate with the Protestant Episcopal Church, Allen led a small group who resolved to remain Methodists. In 1794 Bethel AME was dedicated with Allen as pastor. To establish Bethel’s independence from interfering white Methodists, Allen, a former Delaware slave, successfully sued in the Pennsylvania courts in 1807 and 1815 for the right of his congregation to exist as an independent institution. Because black Methodists in other middle Atlantic communities encountered racism and desired religious autonomy, Allen called them to meet in Philadelphia to form a new Wesleyan denomination, the AME.

• The geographical spread of the AMEC prior to the Civil War was mainly restricted to the Northeast and Midwest. Major congregations were established in Philadelphia, New York, Boston, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Washington, DC, Cincinnati, Chicago, Detroit, and other large Blacksmith's Shop cities. Numerous northern communities also gained a substantial AME presence. Remarkably, the slave states of Maryland, Kentucky, Missouri, Louisiana, and, for a few years, South Carolina, became additional locations for AME congregations. The denomination reached the Pacific Coast in the early 1850’s with churches in Mother Bethel Church Stockton, Sacramento, San Francisco, and other places in California. Moreover, Bishop Morris Brown established the Canada Annual Conference.

• The most significant era of denominational development occurred during the Civil War and Reconstruction. Oftentimes, with the permission of Union army officials AME clergy moved into the states of the collapsing Confederacy to pull newly freed slaves into their denomination. “I Seek My Brethren,” the title of an often repeated sermon that Theophilus G. Steward preached in South Carolina, became a clarion call to evangelize fellow blacks in Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Texas, and many other parts of the south. Hence, in 1880 AME membership reached 400,000 because of its rapid spread below the Mason-Dixon line . When Bishop Henry M. Turner pushed African Methodism across the Atlantic into Liberia and Sierra Leone in 1891 and into South Africa in 1896, the AME now laid claim to adherents on two continents.

• While the AME is doctrinally Methodist, clergy, scholars, and lay persons have written important works which demonstrate the distinctive theology and praxis which have defined this Wesleyan body. Bishop Benjamin W. Arnett, in an address to the 1893 World’s Parliament of Religions, reminded the audience of the presence of blacks in the formation of Christianity. Bishop Benjamin T. Tanner wrote in 1895 in The Color of Solomon – What? that biblical scholars wrongly portrayed the son of David as a white man. In the post civil rights era theologians James H. Cone, Cecil W. Cone, and Jacqueline Grant who came out of the AME tradition critiqued Euro-centric Christianity and African American churches for their shortcomings in fully impacting the plight of those oppressed by racism, sexism, and economic disadvantage.

• In the 1990s, the AME included over 2,000,000 members, 8000 ministers, and 7000 congregations in more than 30 nations in North and South America , Africa , and Europe . Twenty bishops and 12 general officers comprised the leadership of the denomination.

• by: Dennis C. Dickerson, Executive Director of Research & Scholarship

2006 Members (For Anderson-Oconee-Pickens County Churches)

1. Bethel AME, 810 S Fant St, Anderson, SC 29624, 803-224-2609

2. A021 Bethlehem AME, 211 Washington St, Belton, SC 29627, 864-338-3959

3. A334 Fairview AME, 2115 Watkins, Anderson, SC 29625, 864-260-0241

4. A129 Jefferson Chapel AME,1501 Airline Rd, Anderson, SC 29624, 864-296-2559

African Methodist Zion Church (Zion AME):  established in 1796

2006 Members (For Anderson-Oconee-Pickens County Churches)

• ?

Christian Methodist Episcopal Church (CME):  http://www.c-m-e.org/

2006 Members (For Anderson-Oconee-Pickens County Churches)

• No member churches

Early Religious Effort in Old Pendleton District 1785-1970 - H54 by Annie Lee Boggs

Keowee 1833 Conference Records:

1. Anderson Courthouse

2. Asbury Chapel

3. Bethel

4. Bethesda

5. Cooper's Chapel

6. Ebenezer

7. Lynn's

8. Mount Zion

9. Pendleton

10. Providence

11. Rhuhama

12. Sandy Springs

13. Sharon

14. Shiloh

15. Silver's

16. Smith's Chapel

17. Snow Hill

18. Sward's

19. Providence

20. Wesley Chapel

Methodism History:

o----------o

• A religious movement which was originated in 1739 by John Wesley in the Anglican Church, and subsequently gave rise to numerous separate denominations.

• The history of Methodism in the United States does not date back to the visit of John and Charles Wesley to Georgia, but begins only in 1766. In that year Philip Embury, a local preacher, at the request of Mrs. Barbara Heck, delivered his first sermon in his own house at New York. They had both come to America in 1760 from Ireland, whither their Palatine ancestors had fled from the devastating wars of Louis XIV. Only four persons were present at the first sermon, but the number soon increased, especially after the arrival of Captain Thomas Webb, another local preacher. The latter displayed a stirring zeal, and in 1768 the first Methodist chapel in America was dedicated. Almost simultaneous with this introduction of Methodism into New York was its planting in Maryland. Webb introduced it in Philadelphia, and it spread to New Jersey and Virginia. In 1769 Wesley, in response to repeated appeals for helpers, sent over two preachers, Joseph Pilmoor and Richard Boardman; others followed, among them Francis Asbury (1771) and Thomas Rankin (1772). The first conference convened at Philadelphia in 1773, recognized the authority of John Wesley, and prohibited the administration of the sacraments by Methodist preachers. The total membership reported was 1160. An increase was recorded in the two succeeding conferences, also held at Philadelphia, in 1774 and 1775 respectively. But the Revolution impeded the progress of Methodism. Owing to the nationality of most of its preachers and to the publication of Wesley's pamphlet against the independence of the colonies, it was looked upon as an English product and treated accordingly. When peace was restored, the need of a separate church organization made itself felt. Wesley now heeded Asbury's appeal for an independent ecclesiastical government and the administration of the sacraments by Methodist ministers. In 1784 he ordained the preachers Whatcoat and Vasey as elders, and Dr. Thomas Coke as superintendent for America.

• Coke arrived in New York on 3 November, 1784, and that same year what has become known as the Christmas conference was convened at Baltimore. From it dates the organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Wesley's plans and instructions were laid before this assembly, and his articles of faith and his liturgy adopted. As Asbury refused to be ordained without previous election he was unanimously chosen superintendent, a title for which, against Wesley's will, that of bishop was substituted in 1788. The rapid increase of the denomination about this time is indicated by the membership of 66,000 reported to the conference of 1792. The growth of the Church continued with the increase in population; but questions of expediency, race, and government caused secessions. The slavery agitation especially resulted in momentous consequences for the denomination. It began at a very early date, but reached a crisis only towards the middle of the nineteenth century. At the general conference held in New York in 1844, Bishop J. O. Andrew was suspended from the exercise of his office owing to his ownership of slaves. This decision met with the uncompromising opposition of the Southern delegates, but was just as staunchly upheld by its supporters. The withdrawal of the slave-holding states from the general body now appeared unavoidable, and a "Plan of Separation" was elaborated and accepted. The Southern delegates held a convention at Louisville, Kentucky, in 1845, at which the "Methodist Episcopal Church, South" was formed. The new organization, after a period of progress, suffered heavily during the Civil War. Since then the relations between the Northern and Southern branches of Episcopal Methodism have assumed a very friendly character. There is a large measure of co-operation particularly in the foreign mission field. A joint commission on federation is in existence and in May, 1910, it recommended the creation of a federal council (i.e., a joint court of last resort) to the general conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.  by: ?

• The United Methodist Church is a member of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America and of the World Council of Churches. It also participates in Churches Uniting in Christ (formerly the Consultation on Church Union), where nine U.S. denominations are discussing steps to greater union. Combined membership of CUIC churches is about 20 million in 82,000 congregations.

• The United Methodist Church and three historically black Methodist denominations (the African Methodist Episcopal, African Methodist Zion and Christian Methodist Episcopal churches) have been exploring union since 1985. All four churches share a common heritage in the Methodist movement, and have a combined membership of 12 million.

SC United Methodist Conference (SCUMC):  4908 Columbia Drive, Columbia, SC 29203-6070, 803-786-9486, http://www.umcsc.org/

SCUMC - Anderson SC District Office:  1530 N. Fant St. Suite D, Anderson, SC 29621, 864-226-6649, no webpage, Medina (clerk), andist@umcsc.org, established in 1905.

In the Methodist Church, districts are administrative units led by district superintendents – and the borders can change if the bishop and conference think they need to.  If a district gets too big – has too many churches for the DS to keep tabs on, they can shift churches into a smaller neighboring district.  That happened in the late 1980s when Columbia district got too large – they shifted some churches into the neighboring districts, though that can have a ripple effect.  Until around 1905, the churches that are in the Anderson District were part of Greenville and (*) Cokesbury (Greenwood) districts.  Districts aren’t like associations in the Baptist church – churches do not join them, they are assigned to them. by: Dr. Phillip R. Stone, Sandor Teszler Library, Wofford College, 429 North Church St., Spartanburg, SC 29303-3663, 864-597-4309, fax 864-597-4329, stonerp@wofford.edu

(*) = Greenwood District Office, South Carolina Conference,   United Methodist Church, 104 Amherst Drive, Greenwood, SC 29649, Office: 864-223-2650, Fax: 864-223-4099, http://www.umcsc.net/greenwood/, gwdist@umcsc.org )

2006 Members (For Anderson-Oconee County Churches)

SCUMC - Greenville SC District Office:  1395 S. Church St., Greenville, SC 29605,
864-233-3611, http://www.greenvilleumc.org/, Rhonda Gilliam Rhonda@greenvilleumc.org

      c.1895 Members (For Anderson-Oconee-Pickens County Churches)

1. Anderson MC, Anderson County

2. Ashbury MC, A008, Anderson County

3. Belton MC, Anderson County

4. Best MC, Anderson County

5. Bethesda MC, Anderson County, near A257 Shiloh MC

6. Bethlehem MC, A326, Anderson County

7. Bethlehem MC, P014, Pickens County

8. Beulah MC, A024, Anderson County

9. Cedar Grove MC, A038, Anderson County

10. Center MC, C029, Oconee County

11. Dacusville MC, P040, Pickens County

12. Double Springs MC, C060, Oconee County

13. Easley MC, Pickens County, aka P042 Easley Mill MC?

14. Ebenezer MC, A063, Anderson County

15. Fairfew MC, Pickens County, aka P046 Fairview M/B C?

16. Fairview MC, C070, Oconee County

17. Friendship MC, C078, Oconee County

18. Hebron MC, A113, Anderson County

19. Hopewell MC, C091, Oconee County

20. Jocassee MC, Oconee County, historical?

21. Jones Chapel, Oconee County

22. Laurel Springs MC, C104, Oconee County

23. McKinney's MC, P097, Pickens County

24. Mount Zion MC, Anderson County

25. Nazareth MC, C131, Oconee County

26. New Friendship MC, P052, Pickens County

27. New Hope MC, A200, Anderson County

28. New Hope MC, P093, Pickens County, aka P005 Antioch MC

29. Newton MC, Anderson County

30. Oconee MC, Oconee County, historical? 

31. Old Pickens MC, aka C149 Old Pickens Presbyterian?, Oconee County

32. Pelzer MC, Anderson County

33. Pendleton MC, A223, Anderson County

34. Pickens MC, Pickens County

35. Porter's Chapel, P124, Pickens County, aka Gap Hill MC?

36. Providence MC, A232, Anderson County

37. Richaman MC, Anderson County

38. Rock Springs MC, C023, Oconee County

39. Ruhamah MC, Anderson County, near Pickens County border

40. Sandy Springs MC, A252, Anderson County

41. Saint Paul MC, A247, Anderson County

42. Seneca MC, Oconee County

43. Shiloh MC, A257, Anderson County

44. Smith Chapel, A268, Anderson County

45. Smith's Chapel, A083, Anderson County

46. Tabor MC, P144, Pickens County

47. Townville MC, Anderson County, union church?

48. Union Grove MC, A290, Anderson County

49. Walhalla MC, Oconee County

50. Wesley Chapel, Anderson County

51. Westminster MC, Oconee County

52. Whitmire MC, C214, Oconee County

53. Williamston MC, Zion MC, Anderson County

54. Zion MC, C261, Oconee County

2006 Members (For Pickens County Churches)

1. Antioch UMC, 115 Antioch, Easley, SC 29640, 864-859-0469, pastor James McCoy at northeasley@hypercon.net

2. Dacusville UMC, 1339 Thomas Mill Rd, Easley, SC 29640, 864-859-0469, pastor James McCoy at northeasley@hypercon.net

3. Oak Hill UMC, 430 Oak Hill Rd, Belton, SC 29628, 864-862-9818, http://www.gbgm-umc.org/oakhill/, pastor Dan Blair

Upper SC Circuits (Prior to 1834)

      In these pioneer days the preacher was compelled to spend a large portion of his time in the saddle in order to meet his appointments, preaching almost every day

      in the week. His horse and saddle bags with books in one side and linen in the other were his daily companions. Monday was his rest day wherever this day chanced 

      to find him. There his wardrobe was freshened and his studying done to prepare him to continue his itinerary which had probably been arranged six months in

      advance.

• Abbeville

• Keowee (1834 name changed to Pendleton, Pastor Rev. James Stacy)

• Saluda

Wofford College Library:  429 North Church Street, Spartanburg, SC 29303, 864-597-4000

• The records of the South Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church are housed in the Archives. These records, which date from 1785, include the minutes of the sessions of the Annual Conference as well as the conference newspaper, the Southern Christian Advocate. The Methodist Collection also has an index of the obituaries appearing in the Advocate from 1837 to the present. This index is now online in partial form.

• The Methodist Collection is the official repository for the records of Conference agencies and holds the records of a number of South Carolina Methodist churches, an index of appointments to churches in the conference from 1785 to 1954, and published histories of the conference and many of its churches.   

• The purpose of the General Commission on Archives and History is to promote and care for the historical interest of The United Methodist Church. They maintain an archives and library in which  historical records and materials relating to The United Methodist Church are preserved. They are made available for public and scholarly use at http://www.gcah.org/.

• Their library is also maintained by Drew University and their material along with the university's is listed in their on-line catalog. Wofford College Archivist: Dr. Phillip R. Stone, Sandor Teszler Library, Wofford College, 429 North Church St., Spartanburg, SC 29303-3663, 864-597-4309, fax 864-597-4329, stonerp@wofford.edu

• The Wofford Library collections are housed in the Sandor Teszler Library. The building was dedicated in 1971 and named for Sandor Teszler, a well-known textile leader. http://wofford.edu/library

• The Library's Archives Department houses the permanently valuable records of the College and the South Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church.  The College collection consists of trustee and faculty minutes, student publications, early student registers, books and articles by faculty members and some alumni, and records of some student organizations.

• The United Methodist Collection consists of the minutes of the South Carolina Annual Conference, and copies of the conference newspaper, the Southern Christian Advocate.  Additionally, there are records from some 75 churches or circuits, published histories of many churches and of the conference, and some books about Methodism.  Additionally, there is an index to ministers who have served appointments in the Conference, and an index to obituaries appearing in the Advocate.  Part of this obituary index is accessible from the library's web page.

• The Archives is open 9-12 and 1-4 Monday-Friday, but it is best to call and make an appointment before coming.

>

Identified Black Churches:  (Under Construction)

Identified Black Churches:  (Under Construction)

1. Bethel CME, Westminster, est. 1876

Identified Black Churches:  (Under Construction)

Pickens Mission (1834-1844) (Part of Asheville District of the Holston Annual Conference):

1. Antioch Methodist Meeting House, was called P093 New Hope Methodist (1800-1830)

2. Bear Creek Methodist Meeting House, in area S of West Union(?)

3. Bedford's Methodist Meeting House, dissolved(?)

4. Beaulie's Methodist Meeting House, dissolved(?) 

5. Bethesda Methodist Meeting House, A020 Bethesda Methodist, 1m S of Powdersville(?)

6. Capehart's Methodist Meeting House, dissolved(?)  

7. Cheohee Methodist Meeting House, in area NW of Tomassee(?)

8. Fowler's Methodist Meeting house, became P193 Salem Methodist, in Nine-Times(?) 

9. Hibard's Methodist Meeting House, dissolved(?)  

10. Independence Methodist Meeting House, became P139 Smith's Chapel Methodist, 2m W of Liberty

11. Keersler's Methodist Meeting House, dissolved(?) 

12. Kerr's Chapel Methodist, dissolved(?)  

13. Liles Chapel Methodist, became C091 Hopewell Methodist, SW of Westminster

14. Mount Pleasant Methodist Meeting House, A322 Mt Pleasant Methodist, 4m SE of Townville(?)

15. Providence Methodist Meeting House, A232 Providence Methodist 9m SW of Anderson(?)

16. Rock Spring Methodist Meeting House, became C023 Rock Springs Methodist in Richland(?)

17. Wesley's Chapel Methodist, A226 Pickens Chapel, 6m S of Easley(?)