On
February 4, 1864 a band of Christians organized under the
leadership of Rev. H. B. Hancock to form a church, to be known as
the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Meetings
were held at the old Hucksters Hall, now the Second Baptist Hall,
with the members of the Christian and Baptist congregations
sharing different worship hours on Sundays until their churches
were built. On week days it served as a school house.
On
July 26, 1880 land was rented from Dr. David Moss where, under
Rev. J. P. Watson, the corner stone was laid and the present
church built on the site. The church derived its name, Watson
Chapel, from Rev. Watson. On April 24, 1883, the land was bought
from J. C. Fox, the founder of Paris, and given the seal of
approval from President Andrew Jackson, where the present
parsonage and church are located.
Trustees
were Ralph Fawkes, Albert Wells, Wm. Allen, Frank Brown, George
Vivian, and Andrew Watson. The building was partially destroyed by
lightning on October 4, 1909, but was rebuilt August 27, 1912.
In
addition to the trustees, other charter members were:
Lewis
|
Hayden
|
Long
|
Washington
|
Venerable
|
Brown
|
Buerk
|
Harrison
|
King
|
Hinton
|
House
|
Gossett
|
Watts
|
Bogler
|
Green
|
Patton
|
Jewell
|
Burris
|
Crowe
|
Tolson
|
Reed
|
Thornton
|
Troy
|
|
Other
families through the years have been; Evans, Shropshire, Lasley,
West, Campbell, Beechum, Barnes, Butler, Bolden, Fugates, Carter,
Curtright, Thompson, Batsell, Galbraith, Edwards, Scott, Smith,
Adkison
Mrs.
George (Ursula) Summers has the oldest membership in the church
and is active in all affairs of the church. She is a descendent of
Elizabeth King (granddaughter) and Albert Wells (niece) both
charter members.
The
church has produced three local pastors, Rev. L. B. Troy, of the
A.M.E. Church of Macon; Rev. D. P. King, C.M.C. of Columbia; Rev.
W. W. Kelly, C.M.E., Sedalia, also three licensed Missionaires,
Sisters Rosa Summers, Stella Soil and Ursula Summers, who also
served as district president of the Allen Christian Endeavor
League for 24 years.
Ministers
of the church were:
Reverends:
Hancock
|
Christopher
|
Ramsey
|
Jenkins
|
Richardson
|
Holliday
|
Hoff
|
Rogers
|
Warren
|
Meadows
|
Seals
|
Finney
|
Daniels
|
Pollard
|
Soil
|
Hamilton
|
Boone
|
Clarkson
|
Thomas
|
Berry
|
Whiters
|
History written by
Mrs. Ursula Summers
|