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1866 - Pierce Chapel
Bishop
Henry McNeal Turner, the first African American appointed as an
army chaplain, provided statewide leadership for the
African Methodist church in Georgia and established
many congregations. Organized in 1866, this church
was named Pierce Chapel in honor of the Rev. Lovick Pierce, a white minister who helped this
congregation worship independently in a building
near downtown Athens along
the Oconee River. The basement of this early church
housed a school for adults and children, which
served as a forerunner to the opening of the public
school system in 1885. In December 1881, the
congregation purchased the current site, which also
included a building to be utilized as a parsonage.
1916 - New Sanctuary
Macon architect Louis H. Persley and Athens builder R.
F. Walker formulated the plans and constructed the
church in 1916.
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1972 - CD Wilkerson Center
Under the 12 year leadership of Dr. Clayton D. Wilkerson,
FAME experienced its greatest achievement by
dedicating its educational center, deservedly named
in honor of Dr. Wilkerson. In 1969, urban renewal plans required
demolition of the parsonage, and in 1973, an
educational center building was built on an
adjoining lot. As a prominent institution within the
black community, the church continues to house the
oldest African American congregation in Athens.
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1980 - Historic Designation
On March 10, 1980, the First A. M. E. Church is listed on the National
Register of Historic Places.
1998 -
First AME Church is officially recognized as a
historic landmark by the Commissioners of
Athens-Clarke County, GA..
2006 -
During its 140th Anniversary Celebration on Sunday,
July 16, 2006, FAME formally dedicates a state
historical marker on behalf of Louis H. Persley of
Macon, GA, the first African American architect
licensed in Georgia and designer of First AME
Church.
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The preservation of The Hiram House is
governed by Project Renew, Inc., a nonprofit
501(c)(3) tax-exempt corporation (pending).
The Hiram House, located at 635 W. Hancock
Avenue, is a historic preservation project
of the First African Methodist Episcopal
Church in Athens. It is a significant
African American resource because of its
association with the evolution of the
medical profession in Athens. The residence
is located within the Reese Street Historic
District, listed in the National Register of
Historic Places (November 11, 1987), which
recognizes (a) its association with events
that have made a significant contribution to
the broad patterns of history and (b) of its
representation of distinctive building types
and period of construction. |
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The establishment of Project Renew, Inc. to oversee
the Hiram House revitalization was a major
accomplishment for First A.M.E. Church. Project
Renew, Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization
incorporated in April 1995 in Athens, Georgia. The
initial interest group included Mr. Harold Taylor,
Ms. Aurelia Scott, Ms. Patricia Harrison, Dr. Ivery
Clifton and Dr. Robert Harrison. It was under the
exceptional leadership of the late Mr. Harold Taylor
(founding president) and the dedication and tenacity
of Ms. Patricia Harrison that brought The Hiram
House to completion.Before declining health reduced his active
involvement, Bro. Taylor had been responsible for
building a consensus among the church membership to
move forward and apply for rehabilitation funds
through the Athens-Clarke County Department of Human
and Economic Development.
Later, Dr. Ivery D. Clifton assumed the presidency
and Ms. Harrison, as Agent, worked tirelessly as the
official liason between the City and the Church -
and ultimately the driving force to completion.
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