Pastor's Bio | Board of Members | Weekly Services
Sometime prior to 1827, the exact date is unknown; the African Religious Society came
into existence, and owned a building on Talcott Street, which they used as a place of
worship.  About 1833 there was a split in the organization, which resulted in the
formation of two churches, one of the Congregational faith and one of the Methodist
faiths.
The first was known as a Colored Congregational Church and the other as the
Colored Methodist Episcopal Church. For a brief period they both used the same place
of worship.
In 1842 the Colored M.E. Church purchased land on Elm Street. This plot of land was sold to the City in 1856. After this we find the A.M.E. Zion Society purchasing the property on Pearl Street. Sometime between 1842-1856 they took the name of the A.M.E. Zion Society. Rev. George A. Spywood, to whom the Colored M.E. Society conveyed its Elm Street property in trust in 1844, took an active part in the split of the A.M.E. Zion Church in 1852 which was not healed until 1860, during that time the eastern part of the Church was called "Zion" and the western part called "Wesley". It is interesting to note in this connection that the property of the Colored M.E. Society on Elm Street was conveyed to the City of Hartford under the name of A.M.E. Zion Society, and nowhere on the records do we find a change in the name of the M.E. Society, or of a union with the A.M.E. Zion Society.
In March 1862, the A.M.E. Zion Society conveyed its Pearl Street property to James Hosner, Thomas Smith, and Samuel Coit in trust, honor and confidence, that said grantees shall at all times suffer and permit the said Ecclesiastical Society, known as the A.M.E. Zion society to use and occupy said land and building for the purpose of a place of religious worship and for all the uses for which the said Ecclesiastical Society may lawfully need the same, and in further trust to sell and convey the said land and building whenever in concurrent opinion of the grantors as expressed by their vote at a legal meeting dully called, and the grantees, it shall be for the best interest of said Ecclesiastical Society to sell the same, and in case of such sale, then in further trust to invest the avails of such sale in another lot of land and house of worship for said Ecclesiastical Society.
The first New England Annual Conference of the Church was held in Hartford in 1845. Since that time the members of the local Church have taken an active part in the subsequent Annual and General Conference of the Church and have been represented by delegates, and while no written record of the admission of this local Society into the A.M.E. Zion Church can be found, the members of the local organization have for more than one hundred years acquiesced in the use of the name A.M.E. Zion Society, in the deeds and conveyances of their Property and in the description of the Church in the local Directories and State Manuals.
The first church was created in Pearl Street in 1856 and used by a devoted people for forty-two years. In 1898 a new church was erected under the very successful pastorate of Rev. J. Sulla Cooper who served this congregation for five years.
In 1908, Rev. B.W. swain was appointed pastor of this old historic church, and under his leadership a grand rally was held in November 1908, and the mortgage and every known obligation of the church was paid. The mortgage was burned on December 15, 1908. Bishop Alexander Walters, the presiding Bishop of the Conference was the honored guest on the day of the mortgage burning. The Pearl Street Church was used until 1924. Because of the migration of our people to the northern section of the city, leaving the church in what is called the "downtown section" the City of Hartford Purchased the Pearl Street property in 1924 for one hundred and twenty thousand ($120,000) dollars. This transaction was consummated under the pastorate of Rev. Amos J. Gorham, who served as pastor from 1925-1929. The proceeds from the sale of the church to the City of Hartford in 1924 enabled the congregation to purchase a beautiful church located at 2051 Main Street. This plant was purchased at a cost of ninety-five thousand ($95,000) dollars. In addition to this there was purchased across the street from the church, two well-appointed houses and lots, the buildings of brick and stone, with all modern conveniences. The cost of these two building was thirty-five thousand ($35,000) dollars.
Under the pastorate of Rev. J.H. D. Bailey, who served as pastor for the four years (1936-1940) the church was incorporated. During the years of the church's history on Pearl Street, it was known as the Pearl Street Church. After moving to its new location, it was known as the Main Street Methodist Church. Rev. Bailey had it incorporated as the Metropolitan A.M.E. Zion Church, the present name.
It is impossible to give a complete history of the Metropolitan A.M.E. Zion Church. Many names of hard workers must be omitted, and many heart-warming stories must go untold. However, the size of the present congregation of the church, the leadership it has shown in the community, and the cooperation of the worshippers tell the story of the success of the church today.
In 1984 the church was blessed to have had the 35th pastor, The Rev. Dr. Alfred E. White who was also serving as Presiding Elder of the Hartford District, elected to the Episcopacy. Bishop White, the eightieth in succession in the A.M.E. Zion Church, was the first Bishop to be elected while serving in the New England Conference. Among the many accomplishments during Dr. White's leadership (1962-1984) were replacement of roof on the church, complete renovation of the church interior including new floor, lights, carpet, pews, pulpit furniture, commercial kitchen, new lavatory facilities and lounge; purchase of the parsonage on Ridgefield Street, parking lot adjacent to the church office building, and two fans; installation of an elevator and construction of a ramp.
Dr. White's accomplishments were not limited to improvement and development of the physical structure. In addition, his leadership inspired spiritual vitality, educational growth, and cultural enlightenment that extended beyond the walls of the church to the wider community.
The 36th pastor was the Rev. Raymond E. Price. During Rev. Price's tenure, Phase I of the Restoration Project surfaced and was near completion at the time of his departure. Also, Rev. Price was instrumental in creating the Day of Jubilee Celebration. He extended the existing Rochester Scholarship Fund to Rochester/Strickland Fund. The church was placed on the National Register of Historical Sites under his pastorate.
In December 1994, The Rt. Rev. George W. C. Walker, Sr. appointed the Rev. Kenneth Monroe to continue the ministry at Metropolitan. Rev. Monroe's vision of ministry was rooted in Christian Education. The work of Christian Education is in its infancy; however Metropolitan's mission is headed for new heights and new dimensions. Restoration is still important, physically Phase I has been completed; some restoration has taken place at the Manse and the church office building. More importantly, restoration is occurring in the lives of the membership and the approach the church is taking to do ministry.
In August of 2004, after the election and elevation of Bishop Kenneth Monroe, Reverend Terry L. Jones, Sr., was appointed to the historic pulpit of the Metropolitan Church, where he continues to lead the congregation into new ventures of ministry.
The Metropolitan A.M.E. Zion Church, now 171 years old (1833-2003) may be proud of its history and of its present status. It is a church that has been consistently growing in membership and receives the admiration of the entire city.
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