about fame

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's 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.