Walker Chapel AME

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Walker Chapel AME Church was founded in February of 1951 under the leadership of the late Reverend J.L.N. Bell. The Church was organized at that time under the late Bishop Harrison J. Bryant. Charter members were Mr. R.C. Freeman, Mrs. Alma Ellis, Mrs. Jessie McDowell, Mr. and Mrs. James E. Green, Mr. and Mrs. John Rosebaugh (Magnolia) , Mrs. Aretieree Holmes Baliton, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Hubbard (Erma), Mr. and Mrs. Paul Nunn (Josephine) and Mr. and Mrs. Earl Woodson (Corrine). For a period of twenty-two months, services were held in the Stadium Homes Management Building located at 2525 Hill Street. Eventually, the property on which the church building now stands was purchased, and in November of 1952, the first services were held at this location. Reverend Bell served as pastor from 1951 to 1956. Reverend Lewis Scott became pastor of Walker after Reverend Bell. Due to illness, Reverend Scott served for only a short period of seven months The vacancy was then filled by the late Reverend L.F. Greene until 1957, at which time Reverend J.C. Brooks was assigned as pastor.In 1959, Reverend Jewel Bryson DeWitty became Walker's pastor and served for 16 years. With a membership of twenty, the indebtedness of $1,800 was liquidated, church pews were purchased, and in 1964 the old Y.M.C.A. building was bought and moved to the present site. The membership grew from a total of twenty to one hundred twenty-two by 1972. Reverend DeWitty was promoted to Presiding Elder of the Puget Sound Conference after Presiding Elder L.F. Greene retired. Sereral ministers have served Walker Chapel. The Mission of the AME Church is to minister to the social, spiritual, and physical development of all people. At every level of the Connection and in every local church, the AME Church shall engage in carrying out the spirit of the original Free African Society, out of which the AME Church evolved: that is, to seek out and save the lost, and to serve the needy. It is also the duty of Church to continue to encourage all members to become involved in all aspects of church training. The ultimate purposes are: 1.make available God’s biblical principles, 2.spread Christ’s liberating gospel, and 3.provide continuing programs which will enhance the entire social development of all people. In order to meet the needs of every level of the Connection and in every local church, the AME Church shall implement strategies to train all members in: (1) Christian discipleship, (2) Christian leadership, (3) current teaching methods and materials, (4) the history and significance of the AME Church, (5) God’s biblical principles, and (6) social development to which all should be applied to daily living.