Fred Johnson has been a member of Grand Rapids’ First Community African Methodist Episcopal Church since 1957.
“We are part of the African Methodist Episcopal network, which began back in the 1760s.”
The church was founded by Richard Allen, a 27-year-old freed slave who was denied the opportunity to participate in the church he attended.
“We’ve been providing folks with services in that area for 150 years. We were involved in the civil rights movement just as we’re involved in supporting the neighborhood schools and organizations where we are right now.”
Johnson serves multiple roles at the church, including committee member for the church’s 150th anniversary celebration. The Grand Rapids congregation started in the home of private citizen Susan Walker in 1874 as Arnett Chapel.
“The first African American mayor of Grand Rapids was Lyman Parks and he was our minister at the time.”
The First Community A.M.E. Church will hold celebrations starting at 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 29th and during Sunday service on Sunday, March 30th at 10:30 a.m.
