THE HISTORICAL SYNOPSIS OF CAMERON GROVE A.M.E. ZION CHURCH

The humble beginnings of The Cameron Grove African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church began in a brush harbor in 1876 on the property of Mr. Thomas Cameron in the Broadway Township, near the border of Chatham and Harnett County, North Carolina (now Lee County, North Carolina). This harbor was built by the Cameron, McLean, Minter, and Womack families. Then, with winter near, the faithful few put their small amount of money together; adding a few logs, nails, and other items, which were given to them, and built the first church.

 

The sum of $5.00 was raised and given to Mr. Cameron who had given the acre of land on which the church was built. This was done because the land could not be legally claimed as church property until some money was accepted by the donor. As soon as the deed was made and given to the church, Mr. Cameron returned the $5.00 to help in the building of the church. Because of Mr. Cameron’s generosity, and because the church was built in a grove of trees, the church was named Cameron Grove Church. The church was no larger than a small one room house. It had no flooring, no chancel, no glass windows, and no heat. Lanterns served as the only source of light. A spring at the foot of the hill in the rear of the church served as a supply of water until the Town of Broadway installed its water system in 1964.

 

The first members of Cameron Grove Church were the Cameron, McLean, Minter, and Womack families. Miss Mary Cameron, daughter of Mr. Thomas Cameron, was one of the first church schoolteachers. She was followed by Miss Ida Womack. In 1902, an acre of land was purchased for a burial ground. Mrs. Lettie McLeod McKoy, wife of Mr. Zedekiah “Bud” McKoy was the first to be buried in the Cameron Grove Church Cemetery. As the membership grew, a small addition was added to the original structure. Our present chapel (the second edifice), a brick structure, stands on the same spot as the first church and was built under the leadership of the Reverend J. A. Jones, who served as the pastor from 1948 to 1955. Over time, the following families united with the fellowship and communion of Cameron Grove Church: the Prince, Thomas and Marks families from Chestnut AME Zion Church; the Brewington family from Chapel Hill AME Zion Church; the McIver family from Jonesboro Chapel AME Zion Church; the McLean and Cox families from Love Grove AME Zion Church and the Pearson family from Union Grove United Methodist Church.

 

Through the years of mission and service, the Cameron Grove Church served as a circuit with the following congregations: Chapel Hill AME Zion Church, Broadway, NC; Chestnut AME Zion Church, Broadway, NC; Jonesboro Chapel AME Zion Church, Sanford, NC; Paradise AME Zion Church, Broadway, NC; Norrington AME Zion Church, Lillington, NC; and White Oak AME Zion Church, Sanford, NC. In 1937, Cameron Grove Church became a station church under the leadership of the Reverend A.B. Massey.

 

The pastors who have served Cameron Grove Church since her birth to the present are as follows: the Reverends M. Murphy; L. Tyler; A. A. Steele; M. H. Miles; A. J. McDonald; J. J. Stitts; W. H. McKoy; W. O. Waddell; W. H. McKee; W. M. Mitchell; P. Robinson; R. Spruell; M. Gaines; R. Culbert; C. T. Simmons; W. H. Horton; W. M. McNeill; R. Simmons 1916-1917; W. H. Coltrane 1919-1920; L. S. Coleman 1920-1921; A. B. Gibson 1921-1922; J. C. Flowers 1922-1924; J. A. Daniels 1924-1926; W. J. Davis 1926-1930; T. M. Stitts 1930-1932; W. P. Drake 1932-1933; G. W. Glover 1933-1937; A. B. Massey 1937-1939, (who was pastor when we became a station church); Reverends G. W. Fikes 1939-1940; G. W. Harrell 1940-1944; W. H. McNeill 1944-1946; McGray 1946-1948; J. A. Jones 1948-1957, who built the second edifice (the current chapel); M. F. Ward 1957-1962; W. D. Dawkins 1963-1964; I. C. Everette 1964-1967 (who passed away in June 1967 and Reverend L. B. Russell completed his tenure); Samuel J. Farrar 1967-1969; Joseph Smith, Sr. 1969-1970; J. B. Roseborough 1970-1971; H. S. Gillespie 1971-1975; J. W. Britt 1975-1977; Calvin T. Farrar 1977-1987; Dr. Grant J. Price, Sr. 1987-1990, who built the Christian Education Annex; Chalmers L. McDougald 1990-2010 (the longest serving pastor in her history and who built the third edifice, the current sanctuary); Ray P. Owens, Sr. 2010-2014; and Kenneth Swann, our current pastor and the youngest pastor in our church’s history.

 

During our reign, our church was once a member of the Raleigh District of the Central North Carolina Conference. Records indicate the following Presiding Elders supervised us: the Reverends J. Maddox; M. Grimes; and P. Roberson. Then, we were placed under the perpetual care of the Sanford District. The Presiding Elders were as follows: The Reverends C. M. Simmons; W. W. Slade; H. D. Tillman; B. J. Pratt and Reverend Jones. Around 1936, Cameron Grove became a member of the Durham District under the supervision of the following Presiding Elders: The Reverends W. W. Long (1936-1956); James A. Brown (1956-1981); Dr. M. F. Ward (1981-1983); Dr. E. J. Alston (1983-1987). From 1987 to the present, Cameron Grove Church is a member of the Dunn-Lillington District. The Presiding Elders who have served this district and our church are as follows: Dr. Norman L. Stroud; Frederick K. Woods; Milton H. Williams, Sr. (interim); Dr. Lawrence A. Miller; Dr. George F. Miller, Dr. Joseph C. Brown, Sr., Reverend Hanna Broome, and Dr. James A. French (current Presiding Elder). 

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The members of the Episcopacy who have served Cameron Grove Church since she was birthed on the Raleigh District, and subsequently to the Dunn-Lillington District of the Central North Carolina Conference include: The Right Reverends James W. Hood; Maddox; L. W. Kyles; Raymond L. Jones; William A. Stewart; W. A. Hilliard; James W. Wactor; John H. Miller, Sr.; Herman L. Anderson; George E. Battle, Jr.; Richard K. Thompson; James E. McCoy; Kenneth Monroe Sr.; and W. Darin Moore (current bishop).

 

We are also honored to have members who received their inspiration to become local ministers and later preachers of the gospel in our church. Brother Reubin Prince preached while Rev. J. B. Roseborough was pastor; and the Reverend Eudora Womack, Sister Jean Flynn, Reverend Carolyn Cox, and Reverend Tony Chrisp began preaching under the pastoral leadership of Dr. Grant J. Price. Under the tenure of Reverend Chalmers McDougald, the following members became ministers of the Gospel: Sister Camille Woods, Sister Tasha Bethea, Sister Annette Prince, Brother Anthony Prince, Reverend Veronica Ingram Williams (current traveling minister), the late Reverend Shelby Douglas, Reverend Rita McLean, Presiding Elder Reverend Derrill Blue, Dr. Jace L. Cox, and Reverend Jesse Simpkins. While Reverend Ray P. Owens, Sr. served as our pastor, Reverend Solomon McAuley and Sister Ruth Amerson (current local minister) became ministers of the Gospel. Under the pastoral leadership of Reverend Kenneth Swann, Sister Tiffany Chalmers and Brother Jasper Tymes (current local minister) have preached their trial sermons.

 

As we review the legacy of our church, we can agree wholeheartedly that every disciple and every pastor have made great sacrifices for her (Cameron Grove Church). Today, we remain steadfast in our faith and belief for her continued growth and well-being for we are ‘a faith community of disciples’ with ‘testimonials, thanksgivings, and triumphs.’

 

“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” - Philippians 1:6 | NLT