The History of Shaw Temple A.M.E. Zion Church

The first A.M.E. Zion Church organized in Atlanta was in early 1890 in the old Badger's Hall on Piedmont Avenue near Ellis Street. The church was called the A.M.E. Zion Church in Atlanta. Many of its original members were from North Carolina. They worshipped in Badger's Hall for one year. The first trustees were Brothers J.W. Hunter, Miller, Batey, Tom Morrison and Bob Bibbs. In 1891, Bishop M.R. Franklin was assigned as overseer. Shortly after his assignment, Bishop Franklin died. This did not deter the faithful members from purchasing a site near the corner of Boulevard and Irwin Streets. Early in the spring of that year, a small frame building was erected known as Boulevard A.M.E. Zion Church. After the building was completed under the first acting pastor, Rev. Love, the name was changed to Franklin Memorial Institutional A.M.E. Zion Church, in honor of Bishop Franklin.

Other ministers that served the church after Rev. Love were Rev. L.W. Taylor, Rev. W.E. McKiver, Rev. Tuggle, Rev. O.A. Russel and Rev. W. Q. Welch. In 1924, Rev. A.M. Goodwin was appointed to serve as pastor. Rev. Goodwin, a builder, urged and inspired the members to build a new brick structure at the Boulevard site. The frame church was moved back to Hogue Street and a brick building was erected facing Boulevard. Rev. Goodwin was instrumental in raising and soliciting funds from the white community to keep up mortgage payments held by the Black owned Standard Federal Bank. It was his hope to use the frame building as a home for the elderly. Rev. Goodwin served from 1924 until 1932.

Rev. Charles Cecil Coleman served during the 1930's. (He was elected Bishop in 1956). Under Rev. H.M. Reid, our church split and a second church, Old Ship A.M.E. Zion was formed. Rev. Reid's pastorate was followed by Rev. Rutledge, Rev. Felix Anderson and Rev. Tim Dumas. These ministers served a short time. Under the leadership of Rev. B. W. Fattis and Presiding Bishop B. G. Shaw, the two churches re­united. Under the leadership of Rev. Robert Hendrick, the church moved to the corner of Auburn Avenue at Fort Street, N.E., where an Episcopal church was purchased for $14,000. At this site, the name was changed to Shaw Metropolitan A M E Zion Church in honor of Bishop B. G. Shaw. The next pastor that served Shaw Temple was Rev. Leon Watts. Rev. L.J. Baptiste became the pastor in the 1940's. Under his leadership, a new members club was formed which is still inexistence under the name of the "Reaper's Club". Rev. Baptiste changed the name of Shaw Metropolitan to Shaw Temple because he thought that the name was too big for the church. The church was then guided by Rev. George W. McMurray. He established the present day "Progressive Club" and involved the church in community church Thanksgiving Fellowship. We were next served by Rev. Blakely, Rev. Benjamin Shaw, Jr., and Rev. Edward L. Brothers. Rev. William Potter became pastor in 1949. Under his leadership, Shaw Temple became a significant part of the social ecumenical and political life of "Sweet Auburn Avenue" and hosted the first national meeting of the A.M.E. Zion, A.M.E. and C.M.E. churches on Church Union. Because of highway expansion in 1959, the church moved from Auburn Avenue to 38 Hightower Road. Here they purchased Sharon Baptist Church. The facility included a sanctuary and an educational building. Also, Shaw Temple built a brick parsonage where once was a barn. Young boys and girls gathered her for "sock hops", baseball games, Boy Scouts, and overnight trips to Camp J.K. Orr.

Following Rev. Potter was Rev. Cameron Jackson, Rev. Walter Beamon, Rev. George Thomas, (Dr. Ndugu G.B. T'Ofori-Atta), Rev. Robert Clayton and Rev. Owango Welo. Rev. Raymond Hart served from 1975 to 1979. These ministers made numerous improvements to the facilities, as well as forming new organizations and enhancing the spiritual life of the church. For the next two years, an innovative concept in church leadership was implemented: a ministerial team of Dr. Mozella D. Mitchell, Rev. Robert L. Clayton and Dr. George T'Ofori-Atta Thomas lead the church. Later, Dr. Thomas became the sole minister. Under his leadership, the church started a credit union, a food bank, a clothing bank, children's church and the renovation of the educational building. In 1985, Dr. John Wesley Smith became the pastor of Shaw Temple and served until 1992. Under his leadership, Dr. Smith made other renovations, the installation of central air, new carpeting and a handicapped ramp. In 1992, under Dr. Smith's leadership, Shaw Temple was the host church of the 44th Quadrennial General Conference. In September 1992, Dr. Louis Hunter, Sr.,
(Bishop Louis Hunter - 2004) was appointed pastor of Shaw Temple. Dr. Hunter led the church to become a tithing church, improved the attendance of Bible Study, heightened the spirituality of the church and formed a new choir, The Mass Choir, (not as the Mass Choir of today) and formed an Altar Guild. In 1993, under his leadership, the church voted to make an offer on Orange Hill Baptist Church in Austell, GA, and put the church property up for sale. However, Orange Hill changed their plans and took their church off the market, therefore the sale did not complete. In 1999, Shaw Temple voted to make an offer on Fortified Hills Baptist church in Smyrna, Georgia and subsequently put the church on the market again. This time, the church and parsonage at 38 H.E. Holmes Drive was sold to Grace Covenant Baptist Church. We remained in the building following the sale of the building, approximately 60 days. When we exited the building, Mr. Marshall Jones was asked to sing, until everyone had exited the building.

In search of a new place to worship during an interim period, Pastor Carlton Brown and the New Life A.M.E. Zion Church offered to share their edifice, at 3300 Roosevelt Highway, College Park, GA. We held our Sunday school at 9:30 AM and Sunday services at 12:00 PM. We also held our weekly meetings and rehearsals there. New Life was very generous in sharing space, including office space. We had a split in membership, but we had a loyal group of dedicated choir members came together from the Chancel Choir, Gospel Chorus, Men's Choir and the original Mass Choir, to form a "Mass Choir".

The loyal board of trustees, led by Mr. Fred Burks as chairman, were determined to lead the congregation to a new place of worship; other members of the board were; Mr. Brady Barnett, Mrs. Bertha Howard-Bray, Mrs. Odessa Huff, Mr. Bertram Jones, Mr. Windell Mayes, Ms. Candace Moore, Mr. Jerrell Swinney, Mrs. Dorothy Williams and Ms. Vivian Wright.

In January 2000, the purchase of the property known as Fortified Hills Baptist Church was completed. Our first worship services in our new church home were held on Sunday, January 23, 2000. The motorcade began at the old 38 H. E. Holmes location, and proceeded to the new edifice at 775 Hurt Road. It was a very cold and icy day. As one might imagine, the attendance was very low on that day, however, the majority, approximately 230 persons maintained their membership at Shaw Temple. The church and worship facilities were dedicated, Sunday, March 5, 2000. Shaw Temple has had 29 Presiding Bishops and has been pastored by 48 ministers. From this, the "mother church of Atlanta, three societies have been formed and have evolved into vibrant churches: Decatur A.M.E. Zion Church, New Life A.M.E. Zion Church and Faith A.M.E. Zion Church.

Mr. Fred Burks. Chairman

Ms. Candace Moore
Mr. Jerrell Swinney
Mrs. Dorothy Williams
Ms. Vivian Wright

Class Leaders:

Mrs. Thelma Burge
Mrs. Ingrid Hunter
Mrs. Geraldine Jackson
Bro. Arthur Moore
Mrs. Karen Moore

Mrs. Elizabeth Robinson
Mrs. Velma Smith (Brown)
Mrs. Marian Tunstall
Mrs. Stephanye Ware
Mrs. Laura Woodard

Deaconess Board:

Mrs. Thelma Jones. President

Mrs. Estella Allman
Mrs. Minnie Clayton
Mrs. Janice Mattison
Mrs. Alyce Fowlks
Ms. Vivian Wright
Mrs. Mozelle Landers
Mrs. Mabel Walker
Mrs. Georgia Adams
Mrs. Eva Jones

Sons of Varick:

Mr. Betram Jones, President

Ministry of Helps:

Mrs. Ingrid Hunter, Director

Ms. Vivian Wright, Chairperson

Mrs. Janice Mattison, Coordinator

Tape Ministry:

Mr. Bertram Jones

WH & OM Society:

Young Adults (YAMS)

Youth Missionary Life

Members Council

Buds of Promise

Mrs. Carolyn Hart, President

Mrs. Debbie Lee

Mrs. Selma Joe and Mrs. Barbara Moore Mrs.

Marian Tunstall

Ms. Lynne Fowlks

Lay Council:

Ms. Vivian Wright, President

Our current pastor, Dr. George D. Crenshaw was appointed by Bishop Clarence Carr, on October 2004, at the 137th Session of the Georgia Annual Conference. Under Dr. Crenshaw's sterling leadership, the church has continued to grow spiritually, financially, and numerically. Several of our members, have recently rejoined the Shaw Temple Family. Dr. Crenshaw has proclaimed that he is, "Continuing To Dream - Fulfilling The Vision". Currently, his motto is "Seeing, Speaking & Serving The Same Vision". His vision gave birth to the 100 + intercessors prayer group, the Five-Fold Ministries; Discipleship, Worship, Evangelism, Fellowship and Service. Each organization in the church serves under one or more of these ministries, and a committee, led by Mr. Oscar Dixon, has been implemented for the mortgage liquidation fund. A large brick wall was erected, and each time a $10,000.00 goal is met, we will remove a brick from that wall. The amounts represented by each brick, will be paid to the principle of our current mortgage balance. To date, several bricks have been removed. He is also the "visionary" for our biblical institute, which just completed its first semester of classes. This class is free to all members of Shaw Temple, and a very modest fee, for the community and conference members.

Dr. Crenshaw's powerful messages continue to feed, nourish and stimulate growth in our mandate to make and shape disciples for Christ. Dr. Crenshaw is the anointed leader, for such a time as this, in our church growth. He and his lovely family have been an inspiration to all! With this union, Shaw Temple will continue to grow and will be the Church that God will continue to bless!