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The History of Parks Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church - Yesterday & Today

The History of Parks Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church - Yesterday & Today
Parks Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church’s songs of praise are "I Don’t Believe  He's Brought Me This Far To Leave Me" and “We’ve Come This Far By Faith”. Anyone reading its history will know why.

In or around 1929, the late Calvin Benefield came to what was called Firework Station to see about starting a church. Like Richard Allen, he started prayer meetings by going from house to house with Will Brown, Jacob Wallace, James Powell, Grant Taylor, and John NoneIi. After several years of prayer meetings, the site at 43rd and Baker was purchased. In 1932, Parks Chapel AME Church was formally organized, and the site at 43rd and Baker Avenue was purchased. Then, the building, which lacked floors and featured crates for chairs, was erected in 1934.  It was rebuilt in 1942 under the supervision of Trustees Peter Henricks, Marvin V. Gordon, Sam Harris, Leslie Berry, Calvin Echols, Albert Stephens, and Parnell Frye. The church cornerstone lists the names of these pioneer builders, and most of their descendants are active members at Parks Chapel to this day. Soon, a floor was added, chairs were purchased, the late Arthur Ervine, pastor at St. Luke AME Church, delivered the message, and four people joined the Parks Chapel AME Church. That was the first of three churches Pastor Benefield built. Pastor Benefield was a dedicated minister, who served Parks Chapel for 25 years or more, while ministering to the community as well. It stands to reason that his favorite songs were “The Uncloudy Day” and “By and By”.

While the exact year of each pastor's appointments is sketchy, a list of former Parks Chapel pastors and their accomplishments is as follows:

Rev. Fred Oliver inherited a big mortgage of $5000.00, but through major projects like the Church Banquet and a Silver Tea during Rev. Oliver’s appointment, that mortgage was paid. 

Rev. Roy Joiner came not only to serve the church but also the community.  Rev. Joiner furnished the church with carpet, pulpit furniture, and numerous other items he either made or received from others. Rev. Joiner taught The Discipline, held classes about the foundation of the AME church, while continuing to have the young people share in being officers of the church by being in complete charge of the service every third Sunday. His greatest gift was to teach “…thus said the Lord, to love ye one another.”

 Rev. Charles Boatner organized the Christian Coalition and, during his tenure, a new piano was purchased, the Annual Banquet was revived, and ground was broken for the All Purpose Building now known as The Fellowship Hall.  Rev. Boatner served at Parks Chapel for 21 years and was known for singing “Precious Lord”. 

Rev. Charles T. Gill and his family came to Parks Chapel, and under his leadership there bloomed an active Bible Study, the Bailey Scholarship Fund, a Senior, Gospel, Youth, and Men’s Choir.  Also, the mortgage on the All-Purpose Building was burned.  It was noted that, Rev. Gill, and his lovely Christian wife, Janice, were examples of what the Lord can do when He leads your life. 

Though only serving for short periods of time, it would be remiss not to mention Rev. Jones, Rev. Jenkins, Rev. Dr. M. Boyd Patrick, Rev. Willie Clemmons, Rev. Virginia Howlett, Rev. Patricia Herring, and former Presiding Elder Rev. Gary McCants for their tireless and dedicated service to Parks Chapel.

 Rev. Mae Ella Williams served as pastor of Parks Chapel until September 27, 2024.  While serving, Rev. Mae Ella and First Gentleman Roderick Williams brought a new energy to Parks Chapel while always maintaining that “Nobody is perfect, and all have sinned and fallen short of the mark.” 

 Rev. Jarian DeMarr Stith, Sr. accepted his appointment at Parks Chapel on September 27, 2024, and has hit the ground running.  He, his lovely wife, Monica, and son, Jarian D. Stith, Jr., are excited about what God is doing through their ministry.  While services can still be heard over the call-in line, they are now live-streamed on Facebook and Zoom. Church School has relaunched and can also be attended by those who are homebound by listening in on the call-in line.  The relaunch of Bible Study began May 7, 2025, with Praise & Worship at 6:45 pm and Bible Study at 7:00 pm.  The Parks Chapel website is also up and running, and “The Best Is Yet to Come”!              

 Many names of those who fought the "good fight" are listed on the plates that can be seen at the end of the church pews in the sanctuary, but the battle is not over, for there is still much to do.  The light must continue to shine, and the bloodstained banner held up because “We’ve Come This Far by Faith” and “He Didn’t Bring Us This Far to Leave Us”.