Mount Moriah A.M.E. Church Eleventh Episcopal District

 

 

CHURCH ORIGIN:

 

In 1888,15 years after the abolishment of chattel slavery in the United States, and 8 years after the boom in membership of the A.M.E. Church, pioneers of what was then known as Mt. Moriah Brooklyn expanded their newfound freedom to include their freedom of worship in the African Methodist Episcopal Church.  The cornerstone of mighty Mt. Moriah African Methodist Episcopal Church reveals that the founding members were courageous and possessed a vision spanning into the next century and beyond. With strong conviction, determination, a desire for membership and a stable place of worship, dedicated, Holy Ghost inspired pastors ensured that their monetary obligations, sweat equity, and works of faith would establish a legacy for future generations to proudly say that I am a member of Mt. Moriah A.M.E.  Records indicate  on  July 27, 1888 the establishment of Mt. Moriah Brooklyn was under the leadership of Pastor C. Brooks, followed by Rev. R.W. Chadwick. Following the leadership of Rev. Chadwick, we show Rev. Jacob Williams, after which came Rev. John Roseman, then Samuel Nathan and W.M. Sable. Rev W.W. Sampson, Rev. J.H. Dickerson, Rev. R.S. Jordan, Rev. J.L. Williams, Rev. William James, and  Rev. J.J. Sawyers  were among the list of trailblazers and visionary men of God that  laid the foundation for  Mt. Moriah African Methodist Episcopal Church along with  the never dying zeal to serve the lord with pride, dignity, and excellence!

 

 

 

SIGNIFICANT CHURCH HISTORICAL FACTS:

For reasons not completely known to the current church body, Mt. Moriah African Methodist Episcopal was re-established in 1899 under the leadership of Rev. John Henry Dickerson. The greatest contribution recorded of  Rev. Dickerson was the addition of the Bell Tower in 1899. Presiding Elder Needham and the capable serving Trustees  led by M.B. Walbe. The resolute stewards were William Keenan and Page Sneede. Over the years Mt. Moriah proved to be a vital landmark in the historic Brooklyn Community. Through a fully operational child care center, in the 1940’s, Mt. Moriah was a source of economic stimulation providing jobs for the community and members of the church. Those who benefited from the Childcare center (which was run in the basement of the sanctuary) show extraordinary pride as the center yielded educators, doctors, attorneys, and many other prestigious members of society. In 1988 under the leadership of Rev. McFarland, Presiding Elder Thomas Benjamin DeSue, Sr. and Bishop Phillip R. Cousin, Mt. Moriah A.M.E. received a much need face lift as the sanctuary reached it’s one hundred year anniversary. Up until 2007 Mt. Moriah African Methodist Episcopal Church stood at 99 Oak Street, with Gary C. DeSue, Sr. serving as the most recent and current pastor to date in 2010. The acquisition of property by the Better Jacksonville Plan in the Historic Brooklyn Community made way to Mt. Moriah A.M.E. Church. The site now  lives only in pictures, and the hearts and minds of the members, community, and historic records. Currently, the members of Mt. Moriah A.M.E are faced with a new challenge much like the founding members of the church. The present church serves as pioneers in  building a new church site. Members are obligated to be living Epistles, worshiping in the way of the children of Israel, without a permanent home.  Steadfast we walk by faith  believing that HE  will lead us to our “Promised Land”. Until that time, we will continue to put in our sweat equity, monetary obligations, and our vision for the church of the future. In the legacy of our founding members we are laying down a sure foundation, ensuring that there will be a voice centuries from now that are proud to say that they are members of Mt. Moriah A.M.E.