Our Mission

The Mission of Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church is to increase our love for God and to help meet the needs of humankind by "Loving God with all our soul and mind, and to love our neighbor as ourselves".

What We Believe

We believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth. We believe in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified died and was buried. We believe that on the third day he arose from the dead and He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father, He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the universal church of the Lord Jesus Christ, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting.

Church History

The roots of Ebenezer had its beginning in the home of Mr. E.A. and Marjorie Pitter, 1532 24th Avenue. Over many months, the group grew and eventually became so large that Chandler's Hall was rented for worship service. Sometime later, a Zion missionary, Mrs. Trent, acquired property and a Zion church was established as Kyles Temple, at 6th and Main. But this area was soon condemned to make way for the Yesler Terrace Project. Lawrence Coleman donated a lot which was located in the 900 block of 23rd Avenue. This lot was later exchanged for the present site, 23rd and Olive. Zion now had land but could not begin construction for a church building until a formal corporation was formed and registered in Olympia. Rev. Henry Leo Johnston, Mrs. Marjorie Pitter, and Mrs. Sarah Dawson were the architects of this corporation. Their signatures and a Discipline of Zion can be found in the Archives of Olympia.

A.M.E Zion History

The African Methodist Episcopal Zion church is an outgrowth of the Methodist Episcopal Church in America. African-Americans were active in the first Methodist Church. Between the years 1765 and 1796, the number of black members increased greatly. So much so that caste prejudice forbade their taking the Sacrament until the white families were all served. This and the desire for other church privileges denied them induced them to organize among themselves.

The first church organized in 1796 and was called Zion. The founders chose this name because it was the name most frequently used in the Bible to designate the church of God. Among the leaders of the movement was James Varick, who was the first Bishop and to whom is attributed the founding father. "Methodist Episcopal" was always in the title to exhibit the retention of the doctrine and form of church government under which denomination originated. "African" was prefixed to the rest of the title of this church because it was to be controlled by descendants of Africa, in the interest of humanity, regardless of race, color, sex or condition.

The AME Zion Church encompasses all the United States, Canada, Caribbean Islands, England, Africa, India, South America and it is under the supervision of twelve elected Bishops. For More Info click here