The History of St. Julia AME Zion Church
A graduate of the Howard University School of Dentistry, Dr. Maxwell Gilliam has guided his own dental practice in Jacksonville, North Carolina, since 1991. Active in his larger community, Dr. Maxwell Gilliam participates as a volunteer dentist for medical charities in the area and is an active member of the St. Julia African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Zion Church in Jacksonville.
A prominent church in Jacksonville, North Carolina, the St. Julia AME Zion Church traces its roots to the 1870s, when the historic St. Thomas church consolidated with the Moses Temple AME Zion Church located on the other side of the town’s river. In the late 1930s a fire destroyed the Moses Temple, but members were able to rebuild the church through fundraisers and with the aid of a sizable donation from a local bishop, who asked only that the new church be named in honor of his wife, Julia.
Initially named Julia’s Temple, the rebuilt church soon adopted its current name of St. Julia AME Zion Church and quickly emerged as an important spiritual center for the community. Throughout the rest of the 20th century, church leaders guided a range of renovations and additions to the church, including refurbishing the altar and purchasing a church bus.
The 21st century has already seen significant positive changes for the church. In 2004, Reverend E.C. Dobson became the first female pastor of St. Julia. In addition to guiding a $1.5 million construction project for a new church, Reverend Dobson created numerous community outreach and educational initiatives. Today, St. Julia AME Zion Church is led by Reverend Dr. Amy S. Ciceron, who continues the tradition of innovation and growth while serving the spiritual needs of the Jacksonville community.
