Adapted from the works of Mary Hines Griffin
One of the pioneers of Zion, Rev. John Paschal, came to High Point in early 1901. He traveled about the town, found Zionites, and fulfilled his dreams of uplifting God’s Kingdom. Together they established an AME Zion Church in High Point This group met in the old Perry Street School (later named Cherry Street) and St. Stephen was begun
Prior to his tenure ending in 1907, Rev. Paschal and congregation purchased a lot on Price Street, erected a frame structure, and grew the church’s membership. They also successfully paid off the church’s first mortgage of $500.00
Over the next several years, St. Stephen
• Purchased the lot adjoining the church and built the original parsonage
• Equipped the church with new pews, pulpit, and communion furniture (used from (19131943)
• Established the first Deaconess Board
• Added a Pastor’s study and choir annex to the church
• Organized a number of Boards and clubs, originally known as the Blair Henderson League Some are still operating in the present financial system.
Between 1924-1929, under Dr. Charles W. Carver’s leadership, Dr. Carver and the faithful membership undertook the task of erecting a new edifice on Price Street. During this time, St Stephen became a Metropolitan Church This beautiful edifice remained the congregation’s place of worship from 1928 – 1967. Under Dr. M. B. Butler’s administration, 1930-1934, a new brick parsonage was built adjacent to the church
St. Stephen experienced a series of setbacks over the next several years, resulting from the nation-wide depression. Yet, the church continued.
When appointed in 1946, the first tasks undertaken by Rev. Stephen A. Speight were to refurnish the parsonage and to continue to upgrade the church properties.
In 1961, after his first year of service, Rev. Edgar F. Jones led the congregation in the purchase of two lots on Kivett Drive for the purpose of erecting a new parsonage. The new residence was completed the same year. In 1967, fire destroyed the church on Price Street. In 1968, St. Stephen’s beautiful new edifice at 1012 Leonard Avenue was dedicated.
St. Stephen saw continued growth in membership, improvements in its physical structures, and expansion of its of its community outreach ministries. Beginning with Dr. G. Ray Coleman’s tenure in 1971, a transportation ministry began out of concern for the elderly. There were also physical improvements to the church, including the addition of a paved parking. Embracing the needs of the elderly, Rev. Andrew Mackey established St. Stephen’s Adult Day Care Center in the early 80s.
Beginning in 1984, under Dr. David R. Baker, outreach ministries grew; a tape ministry was developed for the sick and shut-in; and stained-glass windows were added to beautify the sanctuary While at St. Stephen, Dr. Baker earned a seat on the High Point City Council and was named the first full-time Christian Education Director.
During the 1990s until today, St. Stephen saw continued spiritual growth and development of its members and community. In 1999, Dr. Mary Kendall served as the church’s first female pastor.
As with Dr. Kendall, St. Stephen’s pastors that preceded and succeeded her served in conference and denominational roles and often hosted district and annual conferences. These leaders and their congregations maintained and enhanced our church property, while focused on the denominations future by being instrumental in developing exhorters and undergirding new ministers of the gospel. St. Stephen served its community with a food bank, health clinics, clothes closets, shoe drives, youth events and other activities, during their tenures.
In 2019, Dr. Reginald M. Keitt became the 26th Pastor of St. Stephen and led the church in many efforts, while enduring an international COVID 19 pandemic, continuing to address the needs of the community, and ensuring parishioners remained connected through daily prayer calls. Under Dr. Keitt’s administration, St. Stephen was one of the first churches to conduct community-wide Covid Testing and hosted the Moses Cone Mobile Health Clinic once a month. Over $50,000 was raised to add a new roof to the church debt free; the purchase of a new Commercial Stove, and two new Air Conditioning units were dedicated. A $75,000 Capital Improvement Loan has recently been acquired.
This chapter in the life of St. Stephen is not complete yet. Great things are still yet to come to be recorded for future generations of St. Stephen.
Because of the shoulders upon which we stand, today we Commemorate Our Past, Celebrate Our Present, and Create Our Future because Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever! (Hebrews 13:8 NLT)
The Succession of Pastors of St. Stephen AME Zion Church:
1901 – 1907
1908 – 1911
1912 – 1914
1915 – 1916
1917 – 1919
1920 – 1923
1924 – 1929
1929 – 1930
1930 – 1934
1934 – 1941
1941 – 1946
1946 – 1959
1959 – 1960
Rev. John Paschal
Rev. B.J. Turner.
Rev. J.A. Barber
Dr. E.L. Madison
Dr. W.H. Howard
Rev. W.W. Blair
Dr. Charles W. Carver
Rev. J.A.B. Yelverton
Dr. M.B. Butler
Rev. J.F. Dunn
Rev. C.W. Lawrence
Rev. Stephen A. Speight
Dr. J.W. Shaw
1. 1960 – 1971
1971 – 1980
1980 – 1984
1984 – 1992
1992 – 1997
1997 – 1998
1998 – 1999
1999 – 2004
2004 – 2012
2012 – 2014
2014 – 2017
2017 – 2019
2019 – Present
Rev. Edgar F. Jones
Dr. G. Ray Coleman
Rev. Andrew Mackey, Jr
Dr. David R. Baker
Dr. J. Alphonso Quick
Rev. Wayne B. Murdock
Rev. Ronnie C. Stinson
Dr. Mary B. Kendall
Dr. William M. White
Rev. Henrico D. White
Rev. Kinston Jones
Rev. Samuel C. Blanks
Dr. Reginald M. Keitt
Deacon
Deacon Tyrone Addison, Assistant Chairman
Deacon David Addison, Jr.
Worship Services every 3rd and 4th Sunday at 11:00 AM
Sunday School every Sunday at 10:00 AM
Prayer Meeting/Bible Study every Thursday at 6:00 PM
Reverend Harry Mitchell, Jr., Pastor Garrett Walden, Sr., Chairman
…and we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
In Memory Of Carmela T. Watson
Ann Simmons
As long as life and memory last, We will remember you.
Andrea and Bailee Smith
As long as life and memory last, We will remember you.
Andrea and Bailee Smith
Congratulations
St. Stephen Metropolitan A.M.E. Zion Church on your 122nd Church Anniversary.
We praise God for your faithful service.
Pastor Linda Wharton, Tim Wharton Sr. and the Oak Grove A.M.E. Zion Church Family.
Lucille, Alisa
Nellie, Melwood, Pearlie, Lorna, Roddy, Aaron, Evan
Garnell
In Loving Memory of Deceased Family Members
of the AME Zion Church
Frederick S. DeWitt
Franklin St. AME Zion Church, Kingston, New York
Cornelius H. and Hattie T. DeWitt
Walls Temple AME Zion Church, Albany, New York
Rev. Howard W. and Muriel D. Irvis
Franklin St. AME Zion Church, Kingston, New York
Mt. Tabor AME Zion Church, Catskill, New York
Southern City AME Zion Church, East Spencer North Carolina
Moore’s Chapel AME Zion Church, Cleveland, North Carolina
With Love
The Hunter Family
Judge William K. “Pete” Hunter
Dr. Pamela Irvis Hunter, Ph.D.
Tab C. Hunter
Cinnamon N. Hunter
Morgan G. Hunter
Samuel P. Hunter
Arianah G. Hunter
Scout C. Hunter
The DeWitt Family
Ward T. DeWitt (deceased)
Ann D. Williams
Sandra D. Culmer, EdD
Eryn Culmer
Maya Keitt
Marqueece Keitt
Morgan Keitt
Mikayla Keitt
Aubrey Keitt
Aerie Keitt
Avery Keitt
Jaqueline Flack
Rev. Carolyn Hood
Sanna Sharrieff
Tie’Sha Williams
Richard Shepard
Cari G. Lee
Cadari I. Lee
Rosa B. Lee
Lucille Clifton
Karl Humphrey
Karl Humphrey, Jr.
Antonio Humphrey
Antoinette Humphrey
Denise Humphrey
Calvin Humphrey
Perry Humphrey
Thomas Humphrey
Gloria Camp
Margaret Dunlap
Melissa Jenkins
Katisha Suggs
Bernadette Newsome
McKenzie Sua
Amari Sua
Journi Sua
Zuri Sua
Joyce M. Saunders
Rev. Dr. Tyrone Rigsby
Bertha Mae Rigsby
Josiah Moore
Jasma Moore
Monica Terry
Yvonne Goggins
Lynette Googins
Bracy H. Bonham, Jr.
Bracy H. Bonham, III
Baptisha D. Bonham
Samuel Crowder
Janacy L. Bonham
Ayanna B. Bonham
Terrell A. B. Bonham-Miller
Karen Humphrey
Julia Norwood
Stephanie Poole
Charles Dunlap, Jr.
Sharon Yokeley
Myles Curtis
Kyndal Curtis
Patricia Crawford
Tracye Griffin
Minister Ralph Harris
Sister Vivian Addison Harris
Sister Catherine Addison
Sister Bobbie Jones-Marcus
Deacon Garrett “Van” Walden
Brother Leon Addison
Sister Carolyn Addison
Brother Michael Hammonds
Sister Langa Sherman Hammonds
Mother Maggie Porter Sherman
Sister Dorothy Adams
Sister Mary M. Mullens
Lauren Taylor
Keenan Rivers
Lynwood Taylor
Javita Johnson-Thomas
Shardae Johnson
Georgianna Dowdy
Lore Alston
Genell Garland
Gia Garland
Donald Thomas
Kameron Clark
Rev. Felicia Thomas
Collin Lindsay
Miss Calvarie Lindsay
Sharon Lipscomb
Dr. Lou S. Sua
Rev. Tyrone Rigsby
Rev. Diane Bonham
Valentina Curtis
Penelope Kindle
Patricia Johnson
On behalf of the St. Stephen AME Zion Church family, thank you for your support of the celebration of our Church’s 122nd Anniversary. Whether you shared your time, talent, or treasures, we appreciate you!
Donations from members and friends, ads purchased for this booklet, and the sponsors listed on the previous page ensured the financial success of this event. Your prayers and presences ensured our spiritual success!
A special thank you goes to Bishop Darryl B. Starnes, Sr. and the Livingstone College Gospel Choir. While your roles take you many places, you chose to be with us today. Thank You!
Lastly, our gratitude is endless as we think of the various committee chairs and t heir members. They ensured ever box was checked and each detail was handled. May God continue to bless each of you and your talents!
Peace and blessing to all!
Rev. Diane Humphrey Bonham, Co-chair
Dr. Lou Saunders Sua, Co-chair
Rev. Dr. Reginald Maurice Keitt, Senior Pastor
