The Abridged History of Brown Chapel AME Church

The most authentic historical records and interviews state that Brown Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church originated in 1892, 105 years after the founding of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The beginning of the church is the result of Robert Haigler wanting to kneel and pray in Jericho Methodist Church. It is said that when he knelt to pray at the altar, Mr. Haigler was told by white congregants that he could not pray in their church and was removed from his knees. Robert Haigler, like Bishop Richard Allen, underwent a religious awakening at this time. He vowed that he would never be cut off from God's love. He became fed up with worshipping the way the white congregants wanted them to worship. 

Robert Haigler and others chose hope over fear and unity over conflict. He and others took a stand for the rights of African Americans and their descendants to express their Christianity freely. Historians say Mr. Robert Haigler approached John Harmon with a request for a parcel of land. Acknowledging the need of Robert Haigler and others, John Harmon gave a parcel of land to build a church. A brush arbor, a shed covered with brushes, was constructed for religious worship in Orange County, presently Calhoun County. The church was originally named Brown Chapel Negro Baptist Church, and Reverend Robert Haigler was its first pastor. 

After years of worshipping in the arbor, Reverend Haigler, officers, and members decided to build a wooden church structure. The first cornerstone was laid in 1906 with Reverend Robert Haigler and John Backmon as officers; according to historians, additional officers served during that time span. Sandy Mora, Thomas Haigler, son of the founder Pemberton Bash, Lange Jamison, Ali Watson, son-in-law of the founder Josh Darby, and Johnny Moore, Sr. When Brown Chapel Negro Baptist Church affiliated with African Methodism, it became a part of the Columbia Conference.

Sometime after 1906, Reverend Gamble became pastor. During his tenure, the church was remodeled. A cornerstone was laid, recording the Right Reverend MW Saulters as the presiding prelate of the South Carolina Conference, Reverend CJ Hamilton, presiding elder, and Reverend Mrs. Gamble, pastor. According to our historian, Reverend P. Howell became the pastor after Reverend Gamble and additional officers serving were Luke Mack, Bracie Polling, William Mack, Solely Snyder, Samuel Morrow, Mose Shuler, Sr., and Capers Wiley.

In 1920, Reverend JF Player was appointed as pastor. He served from April 1920 to November 1926. In November of 1926, Reverend JM Martin assumed the leadership role. Church record indicated that Elijah Lawrence was the church secretary and Superintendent of the Sunday school reverend Martin's tenure lasted until November of 1929. During the 1930s, church records revealed that Adam Gardner was the chairman Pro Tem of the Steward board, and Mose Shuler, Sr. was chairman Pro Tem of the trustee board. As the church continued to grow, various ministers served and contributed to its growth and success. The following ministers served from November 1929 until November 1958: Reverend LH Hemingway from 1939 to 1930, WM Worley from 1930 to 1931, BH Gray from 1931 to 1933, WR Bowman from 1936 to 1937, PB Brooks from 1938 to 1939, BJ Hodge from 1939 to 1943, GB Burgess 1943 to 1949, WP Hammett 1950 to 1952, AD Dawkins 1952 to 1954, and Leroy Jackson 1954 to 1958. During reverend burgess's tenure, the Eveready club in the junior choir was organized. In 1942, Lillian Gardner purchased a piano from the church, recognizing that some members possessed musical talents and realizing the need for a formalized music militia. Shiver Robinson was the pianist. In May of 1950, the gospel choir was organized under the leadership of reverend Hammett. Education played a very important role in the mission of the church. During the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s, Julius Rosenwald, a philanthropist, donated millions to build schools for black children in the South. The ingenious of the officers led to Brown Chapel AME church serving as the school until a wooden structure was built across the road from the church. The school eventually became a part of the public school system in 1955, and the Brown Chapel school was dissolved.

A New Era: 1957-1989

In November 1957, Reverend JE James and his wife Florine were assigned to lead the congregation of Brown Chapel. They came with a vision to bring more souls to the body of Christ and develop a progressive church. Under the leadership of Reverend James, giant steps were taken in the development of the church. On December 17th, 1958, Reverend James' effort led to Brown Chapel being officially deeded to the 7th Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The Right Reverend IH Bonner was the presiding prelate of the 7th Episcopal district. The D was adopted at an extra section of the Central South Carolina Annual Conference on May 23rd, 1959. At this session, Bishop Bonner was authorized to convey, by deed, the property to Brown Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church. During Reverend James' tenure, the church was reorganized to include seven stewardess boards, a deaconess board, additional class leaders, a children's choir, a Bible class, a pastors' aid board, a junior Ashburn, and a vacation Bible school. He was responsible for the growth in membership and bringing young men and women to the body of Christ. Reverend and Mrs. James had a passion for reaching out to the community. Brown Chapel always took an active role in the civil rights movement. Youth members Samuel Watson and Edith Watson participated in the March on Washington with the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on August 28, 1963. They were sponsored by the Youth Congress of the 7th Episcopal District.

In 1963, reverend Alonzo Middleton was assigned to lead the congregation. He had a strong determination to move the church forward. Under his leadership, pews were purchased, and some renovations were made. In 1972, reverend Kaufman became the pastor. His efforts led the officers and members to continue the beautification of the church by having the church carpeted. With the arrival of reverend Norman R Blackwell and his wife Marjorie in November of 1972, a second giant step in the development of the church was taken. Reverend and Mrs. Blackwell were energetic and full of plans for the future; their goal was to take the church to new heights. During Reverend Blackwell's tenure, major projects were undertaken. An educational building was built; central heating and air conditioning were installed, stained glass windows replaced the frosted windows, a new piano was purchased, the entrance to the church and restrooms were remodeled, and new lighting was installed. A copier was purchased to print the Sunday bulletin and other programs. His leadership saw the organization of the inspirational and young adult choirs meals served to the elderly and voters' registration and education programs. The educational building served the community as a meeting place along with the other community services; the church had been designated by the federal government for the distribution of lunch for our youth during the summer.

Embracing the Future: 1989 to present

In November 1989, reverend Rufus Gaymon and his wife Laura were assigned to lead the congregation reverend, and Mrs. Gaymon had a strong determination to lead the congregation into the 21st century. Reverend Gaymon, officers, and members immediately set programs to work. A new pastor study was added, a new carpet was installed, pews were cushioned, a baptismal font was purchased, a new altar was installed, the front exterior of the church was remodeled, and the van in Oregon was purchased. The church also purchased 41.37 acres of land across the road from the church. As the church continued to grow spiritually and membership increased, it was decided by the officers to have the church inspected by engineers and contractors to determine if remodeling was feasible for the growing congregation. Their recommendations suggested that the current structure was no longer stable enough to hold the growing congregation period, so remodeling and bringing the building up to code would not be cost-effective. In May 2004, construction began on a new sanctuary. The new church was completed on August 4th, 2005. The dedication service was held on August 27th, 2005, with the Right Reverend Preston Warren Williams, II, presiding prelate of the 7th Episcopal District; Reverend Willie Jay Baxter, presiding elder, Orangeburg District of the Central Conference, and Reverend Rufus Gaymon, pastor, officiating. Serving as steward board chairperson, problem was Mimi B. Caldwell, and trustee board chairperson Pro Tem was Marion Haynes. Ministries established under Pastor Gaymon's leadership: Christian education, Sons of Allen, Bible Study, Young Women's Initiative, Daughters of Sarah, Acolytes, Liturgical Dancers, Mass Choir, Women's Chorus, New Members Education, Health Wellness and Grief Ministry, Dr. M. C. Robinson Scholarship, Richard Allen Young Adult Council, Senior Citizens, Midway Center of the Boys and Girls Club, College Ministry, Sound and Media, Transportation, Harvest Hope, Veterans Recognition, Security. After 23 years of faithful and dedicated Christian service, Reverend and Mrs. Gaymon retired.

The church received new leadership in November 2013 in Reverend Harold O Wilson. Reverend Wilson embarked upon increasing the membership, eradicating the mortgage and education. Reverend Wilson designed a plan of pledges to eradicate the mortgage. He asked 300 members to pledge a certain amount over a period of three years. Reverend Wilson's love of music and an avid musician led to the organization of the Harold O Wilson Choir. He also instituted the Afrocentric program during Black History Month. The dynamic leadership of Reverend and Mrs. Wilson will ensure the continued growth of Brown Chapel AME church. In October 2022,  Rev. Lester J Drayton, Jr. was assigned as pastor. Reverend and Mrs. Drayton's focus on providing spiritual leadership in the post-pandemic era with an emphasis on regathering the entire membership while completing the liquidation of the church's mortgage. Like his predecessor, Reverend Drayton is also musically gifted and has a vision to build a sound, competent, and spirit-filled music ministry to complement the preaching of the gospel to the saving of every soul.

God bless Brown Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church!