- Dennis CokeThe African Methodist Episcopal headquarters on Swallowfield Road.
Anthea McGibbon, Religion Feature Co-ordinator
"GO YE into all the nations" seems fitting to describe the mandate of the African Methodist Episcopal church. However, their motto really is "We believe in God our Father, Christ our Redeemer, man our brother." The church's ministers are sent across the world to preach in various churches.
"Once ordained, one is at the disposal of the Bishop," says local pastor Clarence Turpin (Swallowfield branch), who was relocated here from Guyana in 1983.
At the general conference held every four years, the pastors are ordained and are required to remain in office until age 75, barring illness.
In 1912, the African Methodist Episcopal church was started in Jamaica by Rev. Alphonso Dumar, arising from a rich history woven in the international body which was founded in Philadelphia, in the United States, 1787.
An interesting story related by Rev. Turpin reveals the church being founded by an African descendant, Richard Allen, against a heavy backdrop of racism.
According to Rev. Turpin, Allen with approximately six other young black men were advised where to sit until the prayers were finished, when they once arrived late to their local Methodist assembly. The prayer-revering young men preferred instead to remain standing at the church's doors until the prayers were ended. This defiance to the "white superiority," caused a stir. At the end of the day, it led to the African descendants' decision to leave, later beginning their own services at a neighbouring blacksmith's shop. Today, the church's logo bears an anvil to remind them of their early beginnings.
The African Methodist Episcopal church remains similar to the traditional Methodist church. In fact, the only difference according to Turpin is in the name to which "African Episcopal" has been added. The church government (Episcopal) includes bishops, priests and deacons. To date, there is only one female bishop, Vashti McKenzie, an American who serves in Africa. She was elected in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 2000.
There are 30 churches in Jamaica with a membership of approximately 3,000. The largest churches are St. John's in Clarendon and St. Matthew's, and Riversdale in St. Thomas.
The three most important beliefs of the church are Trinity (unity of the persons in the Godhead); two sacraments - baptism and the Lord's Supper; and the Old and New Testament.
Ministers have the right to decide whether to they want to be married as this is not mandatory.
The growth rate of the local church is slow, but there are outreach programmes in various communities. Crusades are held at least once per year.
The headquarters at Swallowfield Road has a day-care centre, while other assemblies have schools and poultry farms built on their premises.
The local church is currently headed by Bishop William deVeaux and the Episcopal supervisor is Dr. Pamella deVeaux.
