HISTORY
FIRST AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL ZION CHURCH
San Jose, California
The end of the Civil War brought the migration of many Blacks to the Western United States.
Among them were John Williams, James Lodge, William Smith and John Madden. Mr.
Williams was a former valet to General Grant. Mr. Madden immediately established himself as
a voting citizen and entrepreneur who subsequently became a successful landowner. Both of
these men worked for San Jose Woolen Mills and were crucial in establishing The First African
Methodist Episcopal (AME) Zion Church in San Jose, California.
The First African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in San Jose was founded in 1864. Mr.
William Smith, Mr. John Madden and the original Board of Trustees were among the founders.
This first Board of Trustees included William Smith and James Lodge. These men saw the
necessity for exercising their constitutional right just as the founding fathers of the African
Methodist Episcopal Zion Church had done nearly sixty years earlier at the John's Street
Church in New York City. The City of San Jose had no other religious order serving the Black
community in 1864. The (Black) parishioners met in each other's homes until they could get
more firmly established. In 1870, the San Jose City Directory listed First A.M.E. Zion Church
as being at Fourth and San Antonio Streets, and it was the “only religious organization among
the colored people of the city”. The City Directory also noted that
“the church is in a
prosperous condition, the attendance on Sunday always being sufficient to fill the church.".
Reverend A. Stephens was listed as the pastor in that year.
The building formerly located at Fourth and San Antonio Streets was paid for in 1883 as Deeds
and Articles of Incorporation are dated September 6, 1883. In California, during that period,
deeds were not grated unless the property was free and clear. The Deeds and Articles of
Incorporation were signed by Henry Venable, William H. Davis, and George Caples, John
Madden, Howard Franklin and the Rev. William H. Mitchell. Mr. Madden had donated the land
on which the church was built. The congregation worshipped at Fourth and San Antonio
Streets for more than 90 years in a structure that had been shipped from Sacramento by both
water and land for the Black citizens of San Jose. During the ninety years the First A.M.E. Zion
Church of San Jose had served for Freedom Fighters with the same purposes the Mother
Church had served for Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglas in years past.
The local Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
(N.A.A.C.P.) and the Congress of Racial Equality (C.O.R.E.) were both organized in the
basement of this historic church.
In 1917, the building and lot was willed to the Church by the late Mr. and Mrs. John Madden.
Two rooms were added to the building and served as the dining room and kitchen. The
membership grew along with the Black population in San Jose. Additional space was planned.
In 1918 the structure was completed, and the cornerstone was laid on May 12, 1918. (This
cornerstone was destroyed in the re-establishing of a new church home)
The church had a mortgage burning ceremony on February 21, 1940. The church celebrated
its 75th Anniversary during this period. The pastor at that time was Rev. Albert Williams. The
Trustees, while under the leadership of Rev. Harold Sheppard, purchased an apartment
complex located at 940 Spring Street. The apartments were refurbished with a mortgage on
the church. This mortgage was paid off in 1968 under the pastorate of Rev. Jesse Selby.
Mortgage burning services were held on March 16, 1968.
Rev. Archibald Thomas was pastor until 1966. He retired after serving more than 50 years as a
minister in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Connection.
In 1969 the congregation was forced to abandon the historic location at 4th and San Antonio
Street as a result of the San Jose Urban Renewal Project. Rev. Selby was the dedicated
pastor during this period. The Christian spirit of the larger San Jose community was
exemplified in the decision of the United Methodist Church to permit this (displaced)
congregation to worship in its small chapel on 5th and Santa Clara Streets. This arrangement
lasted from mid 1969 until Easter Sunday, 1972. On Easter Sunday morning of that year the
pastor Rev. James A. Davis, the congregation and a host of friends marched down Santa
Clara Street to their new home, and present facility; 95 South 20th Street, situated on the
corner of 20th and San Fernando Street.
During the three year period preceding the purchase of the new church home, the officers of
the church struggled to finalize the plans for building a new edifice on the property the church
purchased at King Road and Ocala Street. The availability of a church building owned by
Gospel Temple was brought to the attention of the officers by Mrs. Edna Harris. Negotiations
to purchase this building were initiated with $28,000 in the Building Fund and the commitment
of $10,000 in financial pledges by members of the Trustee Board and others. This allowed the
final mortgage to be acceptable by the bank for the purchase price of $140,000. Those
individuals who signed the note and gave money included Mrs. Ivy Davis, Mr. Charles Brown,
Mr. Charles Rigmaiden, Mr. Aaron Harris, Mr. Forrest Williams, Mr. Walter Threadgill, Mrs.
Bertha Ellington, Mr. Oliver Phewchay, Mr. Parker Taylor, and Mrs. Gladys Wade. These
members acted in the same spirit as did the founders of First A.M.E. Zion Church. The first
services in the new church home were held on Easter Sunday, 1972 with the Reverends
James A. Davis and John W. Davis presiding.
On the 13th day of November, 1983, another milestone was reached as Rev. Frederick
Hubbard, members and friends celebrated the mortgage burning of indebtedness. The
Steward Board at this time was Sister Elizabeth H. Leak (Preachers Steward), Sister Meredith
Sheriff, and Brother Matthew Vidrine. The Trustees were Forrest Williams, Lonnie Leak,
Willard Whitaker, Marion “Chuck” Amaker, and Sister Patricia Macklin.
In 1995, the Young Adult Missionary Society established a library in the memory of Brother
Charles Brown, an Honorary Trustee. The library was dedicated by the Presiding Prelate,
Bishop Clarence Carr assisted by the Pastor, Rev. Michael Henderson.
Rev. Michael Henderson brought a renewed focus to evangelism, the food ministry, and
providing necessities and gifts to the local community. First AME Zion, San Jose displays out
pouring of un-selfish love to help in the vineyard of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. In
1996, Brother Sam Williams donated a van for the transportation of needy members.
During 2002, the family of Mrs. Mildred Crawford (at her request) arranged for the installation
of pews in the upstairs chapel. These pews were refinished by Brothers Lonnie Leak and
Nygel Leak. Memorial plaques have been procured and installed. The pews were dedicated by
Bishop Carr and assisted by Reverend Henderson.
During 2003 a major renovation of the church parsonage was completed by the Trustees. This
project was organized and led by the late Brother James S. Wilmore, with the capable
participation from Dr. Forrest Williams, Trustee Chairman; and Brothers Barry Stokes, William
“Bill” Melson, Dean Fambro, Terry Hunter, Wayne Taylor, and Rev. Michael Henderson.
During the last decade (2004 – 2014) we have focused on extending our community outreach
and partnered with many community groups through our community outreach program, sharing
our facilities to accommodate their services to the San Jose community.
Some of our outreach programs include:
 Sunday Morning Breakfast for the homeless
 Twice-weekly drug rehabilitation meetings
 Weekly Bible studies for county social service clients
 Academic Tutoring & IT Skills Development
 Establishment of the African American Journey Exhibit
 Community service based meetings
The instruction and “teaching by example” has increased the participation of our youth.
Fellowship and dedication of the faithful have sustained and inspired our youth to continue to
participate in the events and activities of the church. With the leadership of our present and
former pastors, we have continued to make progress. May the history of the past continue to
sustain us through the unknown future.
Today First Church San Jose continues in the tradition of the Mother Church to fight for the
dignity, emancipation, and rights of all people.
“Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool.
What kind of house will you build for me?” says the Lord
“Or where will my resting place be?”
Has not my hand made all these things?
Acts 7:49-50
It is with grateful appreciation we acknowledge the following Bishops, Presiding
Elders, and Pastors for their dedicated service to First A.M.E. Zion Church, San
Jose from 1864 to the present!
Episcopal Roll of Honor
*Bishop J. D. Brooks
*Bishop John J. Moore
*Bishop Alexander Walters
*Bishop Josiah Caldwell
*Bishop John W. Martin
*Bishop William C. Brown
*Bishop William A. Stewart
*Bishop Joseph Caruthers
*Bishop William Hilliard
*Bishop George J. Leake
*Bishop Herman L. Anderson
*Bishop George W. Walker
*Bishop Clarence Carr
*Bishop Roy L. Holmes
Bishop Dennis V. Proctor
Bishop W. Darin Moore
Ministerial Roll of Honor
Presiding Elders
*Reverend T. Brown
*Reverend T. Allen Harvey
*Reverend L. Taylor
*Reverend J. L. Jackson
*Reverend S.W. Hawkins
*Reverend L. W. McCoy
*Reverend W. E. Matthews
*Reverend Filbert Lankford
*Reverend W. W. Howard
*Reverend Dr. J. Mayo Roberts
*Reverend S. W. Miller
*Reverend B. Leon Carson
*Reverend W. J. Byers
*Reverend Dr. Parree Porter
*Reverend Walter Lovell
*Reverend John G. Wyatt, Jr.
*Reverend E. M. Clark
*Reverend Dr. Percy Smith
*Reverend T. M. Drapier
*Reverend John E. Watts
Reverend Frederick Hubbard
Pastoral Roll of Honor
*Reverend Hutchinson
*Reverend Thorn
*Reverend Camp
*Reverend Harold Shepard
*Reverend Albert William
*Reverend B. Leon Carson
*Reverend Archibald Thomas
*Reverend Jesse Selby
*Reverend J. Andrew Jones
*Reverend James A. Davis
*Reverend John W. Davis
*Deceased
*Reverend L. Roy Bennett
*Reverend Dr. J. Mayo Roberts
*Reverend John G. Wyatt, Jr.
*Reverend Eugeno Watkins
*Reverend Frederick D. Hubbard
*Reverend William Elston
*Reverend Melver Tinsley, Sr.
*Reverend James A. Davis
*Reverend Dr. Percy Smith
*Reverend Eugeno Watkins
Reverend Michael Henderson