Old Ship African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
Exploring Montgomery’s first African-American church
“I can’t imagine worshipping anywhere else. There is so much history, so much strength built into this church.”- Maria Thomas, Head Secretary of Old Ship A.M.E. Zion Church
Old Ship African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church is the oldest African-American church in the city of Montgomery. The church’s beginning dates way back to 1852. The church was built using a donated building frame from the all- white congregation of the Court Street Methodist Church.
Old Ship to New Beginnings
Old Ship African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church was designed for traditional revival worship for black worshipers. The church underwent renovations in the early 1900s, but retained its original design. The most notable decorations are its stained glass windows.
Since its beginning, Old Ship has been a historical trademark for the city of Montgomery. Old Ship is notable for being the first host of the State Normal School and University for the Education of Colored Teachers and Students (now known as the Alabama State University) in 1888.
“This is what our ancestors worked so hard for. This is beyond our negro spirituals and old hymns. ” — Visitor of Old Ship A.M.E. Zion Church
Location
The church was originally on Court and
Old Ship Church is the new neighbor to the Peace and Justice Museum that was just recently built by the Equal Justice Initiative.
What Makes it Special
This location is a beginning of many different milestones. This church paved the way for many others.
Old Ship African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church has had many well known speakers over its history. President McKinley, Frederick Douglass, and Booker T. Washington all spoke at the pulpit. Maya Angelou’s movie “Sister, Sister” was filmed at Old Ship in 1978.
Thousands of people come view the church yearly. The church has its own historical landmark statue in front of the church stating a short biography about Old Ship’s beginnings.
The church is currently under internal renovations. Their goal is to be “an instrument to liberation, empowerment, and salvation of humanity through Jesus Christ.”
More about this article:
This article was written as a creative project assignment for a journalism course, Media Writing II, at Auburn University at Montgomery in Spring 2018. The course was taught by Eman Shurbaji in collaboration with Exploring Montgomery’s founder, Cyle Conoly.
The project’s articles showcase many diverse buildings and their history in Montgomery.
- A bit of worship history at Old Ship African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church by Jayla Coleman
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