1867-2010…
“God Our Father, Christ our Redeemer, the Holy Spirit our Comforter, Humankind our Family”
The Oak Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, circa 1867, is a simple wood-frame, gable-end structure with a shingled tower, square plan, and bracketed cornice at two levels. It is a notable post-Civil War African American church that has remained continuously in use for 143 [now 152] years.
In 1867, a group of concerned citizens of African American heritage in Warrenton and Warren County desired a place where they could worship in true freedom. Having been forced to worship in basements or from the galleries in other churches, they wanted a sanctuary of their own. Several leading families worked together to erect a church building that has stood the test of time.
John A. Hyman, North Carolina’s first African American elected to the United States Congress, donated a part of his homestead for the church and a parsonage. Master carpenters John and Charlie Branch, with the help of John S. Plummer, Richard “Waddie” Harris, Charles Fain, Richard Green, Ossian Hawkins, Lafayette Harris and others constructed the building. The original basement of Oak Chapel became the first Freedman’s School established in Warren County. At completion, the church became a member of the North Carolina Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the oldest African American denomination in the United States.
From it beginning, Oak Chapel AME has nurtured and empowered local citizens. In the spirit and tradition of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, it has served God and the community by ministering to the spiritual, emotional, education and physical needs of African and Native Americans. As early as the late 1800’s Oak Chapel welcomed Native Americans of like faith after they were turned out of other area churches. During the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960’s and ‘70’s, the church was a gathering place and staging area for citizens advocating racial equality and inclusion.
The history of Oak Chapel has been recorded at several junctures through the years. The earliest record was penned by Elia cheek. A second update was provided by Ada Strong Johnson in 1983 and revised by Mrs. Johnson in 1995. The most recent history was copyrighted in 2007 by Jennie Johnson Franklin who still lives in Warrenton.
Oak Chapel also holds a notable place in AME denominational history as it has among its membership John R. Hawkins, the great, great grandson of founding Bishop Richard Allen. Mr. Hawkins’ biography is included in the Centennial Encyclopaedic of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, edited by Richard R. Wright, Jr. and published in 1916. John R. Hawkins is listed as assistant editor of the volume. According to these records, John R. Hawkins was, in 1912, the first layman elected financial secretary of the denomination. He also served as president of Kittrell College, an AME institution in nearby Vance County. A framed portrait depicting the first 39 elected and consecrated bishops of the AME church which dates the poster around 1912.
The church has undergone several renovations. In the early 1950’s, during the pastorate of Reverend L. O. Saunders, stained glass windows replaced the original clear glass panes. Carpet was installed and the pulpit exit was permanently closed. An interior stairway leading from the sanctuary to the basement was constructed, providing access without having to go outdoors. The original benches were replaced with pews. The hand carved wooden pulpit furniture ( which is original to the church and still in use) was reupholstered replacing the original leather with velvet. Improvements to the heating systems, addition of kitchen equipment and indoor restrooms, etc. have followed. Reverend Jessica Smith framed-in a section of the basement for the church office around 2003.
Another restoration of the historic structure was initiated by Reverend Roberta Mills with a 140th Anniversary Celebration in 2007. Repairs to the roof, steeple, bell tower, exterior clapboards and parts of the interior were completed. A handicap ramp was added in 2009 as was the stained-glass transom over the front entrance. The bathrooms were updated in 2010. The church is a contributing property to the Town of Warrenton’s historic district and as such is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Oak Chapel continues to have a strong youth-focused ministry. In 2014 the church office was converted to a library and classroom to accommodate Summer literacy camps and church school. A raised bed community garden was developed on the church grounds in 2015. The demonstration garden teaches home food production and provides fresh vegetables to local families in need.