Mother African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, New York City (1796- )

Mother African Methodist Episcopal Zion (AME) Church, founded in 1796, is currently located in Harlem, New York. It is the oldest African American church in the state of New York and was established when black parishioners left John Street Methodist Church in that city. The group, under the leadership of Minister James Varick, had grown disillusioned with increasing segregationist practices within the Methodist church organization. Ministers James Varick, Christopher Rush, William Miller, and George Galbreath would become bishops and eventually be recognized as the founding members of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion denomination.

“Mother African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, New York City (1796- ) •,” January 31, 2014. https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/mother-african-methodist-episcopal-zion-church-1796/.