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Pastor William A. Gray III and First Lady Candace Gray
The pastor, officers, and members of St. Stephens African Methodist Episcopal Center for Living Faith welcome you to our web page. We also invite you to worship and fellowship with us.
St. Stephens A.M.E. is "A Center For Living Faith." Hebrews 11:1 tells us that, "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Our faith comes from the evidence of God's work, the Bible. Hearing, reading, and studying the word of God provide the essentials of a good Christian existence. At St. Stephens, we strive to use the word of God to develop the total individual. Emphasis is placed on spiritual growth, physical development, intellectual awareness, and socialization.
You will discover that the membership encompasses all levels on the spectrum of Christian maturity. With this in mind, you should feel comfortable in all aspects of church life. As our members grow, we grow and as we grow, our members grow. Each is a vital part of God's kingdom. As such all are expected to contribute to its uplifting, glorification, and growth. We invite you to become a part of our family.
We look forward to sharing our joy and love. If we can assist you in any manner, you need only to ask.
Yours in Christ,
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Center For Living Faith
St. Stephen African Methodist Episcopal Church was founded in the early 1870's. In 1878, the present site was purchased and a formal house of worship was erected. The first church was a log cabin. The founders were brothers: George Howe, Charles Dutton, Daniel Camper, John H. Smith, Charles Hamilton, Charles Hawkins, Exter Smith, John W. Smith, Charles Randall, George Young, Reverend and Mrs. Basil Brown, Daniel Evans, and Lewis Price. Reverend Charles Young was St. Stephen's first pastor.
St. Stephen became a circuit with Shiloh A.M.E. church. Morning services were conducted by the Reverends Basil Brown and Washington Brown.
In 1907, Reverend Briscoe and the congregation replaced the log building with a modern structure. The congregation entered the church free of debt. A parsonage was built in 1918 during the pastorate of Reverend P.O. Bundick. Later under the leadership of Reverend Olen Molock, the construction of a church hall began. It was completed under the administration of Reverend M.B. Simpson.
Reverend Reginald Boston and the congregation discussed plans for a third church building. Those plans were carried out under the direction of Reverend Richard P. Hall in 1970.
In 1986, under the pastorate of William A. Gray III, St. Stephen adopted as its second name, "Center for Living Faith." In 1987, the pastor and congregation prepared to build a new church facility to meet the needs of its growing congregation and ministries.
Construction was started in 1994, and St. Stephen dedicated its new Living Faith Center in 1996.
Pastor William A. Gray III
St. Stephens African Methodist Episcopal Church 1601 OLD EASTERN AVENUE Essex, Maryland 21221
(410) 686-9392
E-mail:
www.ststephensame.com
Web Site:
www.ststephensame.com |
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