History

THE HISTORY OF FIRST AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL ZION CHURCH

The First African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church was founded in the City of San Francisco on August 1, 1852, by the Reverend John Jamison Moore. Worship services were held in a building located on Stockton Street between Vallejo and Broadway. From there the Church moved to Pacific Street, where a brick chapel was built.

Rev. Moore carefully pastured the church and participated extensively in civic affairs. In addition to his religious duties, he accepted a position at the San Francisco Colored School as principal and teacher. In his own publication, a local newspaper entitled, "The Lunar Visitor," Rev. Moore promoted civil rights and advocated developing institutions for educational, social and political skills useful in working toward a full participation in American Society. In 1868, Rev. Moore was consecrated a Bishop in the denomination.

Between 1858 and 1862, the Reverend Adam B. Smith served as pastor. Other pastors who followed were Reverends Lodge, Alexander Walters, Hector, William H. Hillary and Charles C. Petty. In 1864, the congregation purchased the Rev. Thomas Starr King Church property. For the next decade they called themselves "The Starr King Methodist (Zion) Church" and continued to provide a focus on educational, cultural, social and political activities, as well as spiritual sustenance. In the mid 1870's, First Church was officially known as "First African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church". In 1878, The Rev. William H. Hilliary was the pastor. Rev. Hilliary was later consecrated a Bishop in the denomination. The church was completely destroyed in the great earthquake and fire of 1906. For three years, the congregation continued to meet in a worship hall at Powell and Pacific Streets, although they were without a minister.

In 1909, The Rev. W. J. Byers, arrived, reactivating the congregation. The period between 1911 and 1919 experienced a succession of pastors. 1911 to 1912, The Rev. George Haines served as pastor. In the fall of 1912, Rev. W.W. Matthews was assigned. The membership, though small in number, was able to regroup and erect a new church at 1669 Geary Street. (Rev. Matthews, also, was later consecrated a Bishop in the denomination.) The next pastor in succession was the Rev. E. Jones, who stayed less than one year. He was replaced by Rev. E. M. Clark, followed by Rev. E. M. Lightfoot, both of whom served one year each.

1918 TO 1926 The Rev. Byers was reassigned to San Francisco. His ministry at this time included re-establishing a Christian Endeavor Society and he was also instrumental in establishing the Booker T. Washington Community Center (on Presidio Street), San Francisco's first African-American community center. The center remains a viable part of the community today, bustling with programs and activities.

1926 to 1941 During the pastorate of the Rev. E. J. Magruder, First A.M.E. Zion Church realized a long-standing ambition to construct an apartment house adjacent to the church on Geary Street.

1941 to 1946 The Rev. H. B. Gantt, next in succession, guided the church during the World War II years, and with the vast migration of those from the South, the church congregation increased.

1946 to 1956 One of the youngest pastors (at that time) to serve First Church was The Rev. Harold Clement. The civic-minded young leader served the church and community in various capacities. It was his privilege to celebrate the centennial of the First A.M.E. Zion Church in August 1952. Under his pastorate, the church and the apartment house on Geary Street were renovated. In 1953 a church parsonage was purchased on Seventh Avenue.

1956 to 1965 The Rev. L. Roy Bennett was appointed and served nine years. Due to the redevelopment of the Western Addition, the church family had to relocate. A new church building was erected in 1960 at the present location, 2159 Golden Gate Avenue.

1965 to 1973 The Rev. B. Leon Carson pastured First Church. Rev. Carson served the church family in the finest way. He was also very active in community and religious organizations, such as the Ministerial Alliance and The Prince Hall Masons. He is still remembered and very much loved by San Francisco Zionites and members of the community.

1973 to 1980 The Rev. Dr. Parree Porter, Sr. was transferred to First Church from Logan Temple A.M.E. Zion Church, San Diego, CA, with his lovely wife Adlise and their two children, Saunja and Parree, Jr. Among his most notable accomplishments was the burning of the church mortgage in 1974 and the number of clubs and boards organized: The Voices of Parree Young Adult Choir, The Little People's Choir (also known as The King's Kids), and the Young Adult Missionary Society (YAMS), the first chapter formed in the Zion Connection.

1980 to 1987 The Rev. Percy King Smith, Jr. was appointed pastor. He was a civic and community leader. He served as President of the Ecumenical Council which was instrumental in bringing Bishop Desmond Tu Tu of South Africa to the Bay Area. He was appointed as a City Commissioner for the Department of Parking and Traffic. As Presiding Elder of the Bay Cities District, he led the District in celebration of Zion's 200th Anniversary. Rev. Smith is known throughout Zion as the designer and author of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church’s official denominational logo, which was adopted by the 42nd General Conference of the AME Zion Church on August 2, 1984, in St. Louis, Missouri.

1987 to 1995 The Rev. John E. Watts served First Church. He brought a teaching ministry to First Church. He emphasized Christian Education, excellence in education and a dedication to teaching the Word of God. The feeding outreach ministry established a monthly feeding program at Hamilton Shelter, and the establishment of a Scholarship Committee which assisted students attending a four year institution. The newspaper, “The Lunar Visitor” first published by the Rev. J.J. Moore in the 1800’s was re-established by Rev. Watts. It was Rev. Watts who expounded the vision that First Church was, "A Church Where Love is Contagious."

1995 to 1998 The charismatic Rev. Keith I. Harris was appointed and he directed First Church toward a ministry oriented church body. He initiated a weekly feeding program for the homeless, and the Church gave Christmas baskets to the needy. His first outreach ministry was to aid the hurricane victims in Antigua and Barbados. Rev. Harris' ministry encompassed all people. The evangelistic theme for the church was, "Each One Reach One!" In 1996, renovation on the Education Complex was completed. First Church was the host of the California Conference Celebration of Zion's Bicentennial.

1998 to 2000 The Rev. James A. McMillian was appointed pastor. He brought an innovative visionary gospel, which taught understanding the Word of God. He spearheaded the development of the Vision and Mission Statement to define First Church's objective. In the latter part of 2000, Rev. McMillian was transferred to the New York Conference.

2001 to 2009 The Rev. George C. Woodruff, was appointed pastor of First Church. A young, dynamic man of God, he encouraged First Church members to cultivate a personal relationship with God by studying The Word and to enhance their prayer life. In 2002, he assisted in the successful completion of the sale of the Seventh Avenue church parsonage and the acquisition of a new parsonage located at 219 Oak Park Drive. He was appointed a Commissioner for the San Francisco Housing Authority in 2002. Rev. Woodruff adopted the motto for First A.M.E. Zion Church: "A Good Church Getting Better”.

2009 to Present The Reverend Malcolm Byrd The newly appointed pastor of First A.M.E. Zion Church, officiated his first sermon on Sunday, August 16, 2009 at the 11:00 AM worship service. Rev. Byrd was appointed by Bishop Dennis V. Proctor, Presiding Prelate of the Western Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, to pastor First Church and transferred from New York after serving as Senior Pastor of the Varick Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church, Brooklyn, NY.

Theologically, Reverend Byrd is a “Liberation Theologian” who believes wholeheartedly that the Gospel and Ministry of Jesus Christ provides all of the necessary ingredients for inner and social Freedom. He brings a message to the San Francisco community of “wholeness of self” and is backed by his spiritual calling and his 140 year ancestry of a long line of African American’s of social activism. He is best described as a master orator with a keen focus upon English prose and lore of yesteryear. He has harvested a great love and regard for education – eloquent, refined and heartfelt.

Reverend Byrd has been very visible in community involvement which has included demonstrations in support of non-foreclosures on homeowners, and support of student programs at the University of San Francisco At 28 years old, he is one of the youngest pastors in the history of the church and shows colossal promise, as a dynamic spiritual leader and thinker of social progress.

The First AME Zion Church is celebrating its 160th Anniversary August 2012!