100 YEARS OF GREATER GREENE CHAPEL AME CHURCH

100 YEARS OF GREATER GREENE CHAPEL AME CHURCHGREATER GREENE CHAPEL AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHpresents Bishop Erika D. Crawford Presiding Prelate, 8th episcopal district Rev. Dr. Hugh MarriotSupervisor of missions Rev. Gwendolyn SnearlWNOBR District Presiding Elder Rev. Ranches and Joya Hall Pastor and first lady of Ggc amec Rev. Beverly Jones Associate Minister Associate Minister

GGC@100For a century, Greater Greene Chapel AME Church has stood as a beacon of faith, hope, and community. As we celebrate our momentous 100th anniversary under the theme GGC@100: God’s Grace Centered at 100, we reflect on a rich legacy built entirely on the unmerited favor, steadfast love, and faithfulness of the Almighty. A living tapestry of God's sustaining power, anchored by the truths found in His Word: Ephesians 2:8 – "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God." Lamentations 3:22-23 – "Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness." 2 Corinthians 9:8 – "And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work." Looking ahead, GGC@100 serves as both a celebration of our past and a compass for our future. Greater Greene Chapel remains fully committed to being a grace-centered sanctuary where lives are transformed and the Gospel is proclaimed. As we commemorate 100 years of ministry, we praise God for where He has brought us and step boldly into the next century, confident that His grace will continue to guide and sustain this congregation for generations to come. 2 Rev. Delores Baker

Greetings,Greetings,3

SupervisorDr. Constance Belin WickerReverend Doctor Constance Belin Wicker holds the esteemed position of Episcopal Supervisor in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. She currently serves the 3rd Episcopal District which consists of Ohio, West Virginia and Western Pennsylvania. While Dr. Wicker’s bachelorette studies focused on pre-med sciences, she has lived out her ministerial call in service to women and children across the continent of Africa and the southern region of the United States. She has spearheaded mission work in Swaziland, Mozambique and the states of Louisiana and Mississippi. Supervisor Wicker is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana and a lifelong learner, earning multiple degrees, including a Doctorate of Ministry from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. While her professional accomplishments led to a career in chemical work for corporations such as Exxon USA, and Coca Cola, she has held positions in business banking and later in childcare management. In the 18th District, Supervisor Wicker utilized her vocational and educational skills to connect Church with community. She collaborated with the leadership team at Selulasandl Vashti Children’s Center in Swaziland to create an internal library for children to encourage reading and increase vocabulary skills. She was instrumental in enhancing the after-school tutorial efforts which increased graduation rates. By seeking support through other organizations, Supervisor Wicker made the Children’s Center a safe haven where the necessities of each child were met. In Mozambique, Rev. Dr. Wicker identified a need for foot protection and initiated the flip-flop ministry by collecting and purchasing flip-flops for distribution in the community. Supervisor Wicker has also developed workshops and training sessions to equip minister spouses and their families. She continues to motivate, encourage and inspire women and children to live their best lives filled with God’s promise of abundance. Dr. Wicker is a proud member of the Links, Incorporated. She is often characterized by her infectious laugh, impeccable fashion, and exceptional culinary skills. She is committed in marriage and ministry to Bishop Stafford J.N. Wicker. They are the proud parents of two daughters, Valencia and Lauren

BishopBishop Erika D. Crawford, a disciple whom Jesus loves, is a Proven Leader, Trusted Servant, and Kin-dom Citizen. She is a spiritual daughter of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Stamford, CT. She embraced the work and call of the itinerant ministry, having served God through Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Stamford, Connecticut; Reid Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Columbia, SC; and Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Harlem, NY, before receiving her first pastoral appointment in 2006. In her pastorate, Bishop Crawford was blessed to have led the Believers at Allen Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church of Mt. Vernon, NY; African Methodist Episcopal Ebenezer Church of Rahway, NJ; and Mt. Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church of Dover, DE. She led these congregations in debt and mortgage liquidation, property acquisitions, renovations, and at Mt Zion, a 3000 sq ft building addition.Erika D. Crawford In addition to Pastoral Ministry, Bishop Crawford was blessed to have served as the Coordinator of Ecumenical and Interfaith Ministry for Fordham University (a Jesuit-Catholic University), New York Liberty Team Chaplain and Consultant for the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), and Director of the Pastoral Care Department at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (Rahway, NJ). Bishop Crawford serves as the 143rd elected and consecrated Bishop and is assigned as the Presiding Prelate of the 8th Episcopal District, encompassing the states of Mississippi and Louisiana. In addition to that assignment, she serves as the Commission Chair for the Department of Church Growth for the African Methodist Episcopal Church. She completed a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management at Voorhees College (Denmark, SC), a Master of Divinity at New York Theological Seminary (New York, NY), and a Doctor of Ministry in Pastoral Care and Counseling at Fordham University (Bronx, NY). She has also done postgraduate work at Regent’s Park College at Oxford University (Oxford, UK). In 2025, she was inducted into the Martin Luther King, Jr. Board of Preachers at Morehouse College. She made history at the 52nd Quadrennial Session of the General Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in Columbus, Ohio, when 1019 of the 1720 delegates cast their ballots, making her the first woman to lead an episcopal class in the church's history. Other work previously assigned to Bishop Crawford’s hand includes two terms as Connectional (International) President of AME Women in Ministry; Director of Stewardship for the First Episcopal District; Dean of the Ministerial Institute (Delaware and New Jersey Annual Conference); Vice-Chair of The Conference Trustee Board (Delaware Annual Conference); The City of Dover (DE) Ethics Commission, and a plethora of other religious and civic organizations. Bishop Crawford is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated; The Links Incorporated; The National Council of Negro Women (life member), and the NAACP (life member).

1927-19381927-1938 1941-19641941-1964Pastors of the ChurchPastors of the Church Reverend James Ellis Reverend Hermon Foster Reverend Levy Foster Reverend Armstead Reverend Pendelton Reverend George Boarum Reverend H.A. Belin Sr. Reverend W.W. Hunt Reverend L.M. Staves Reverend J.D. Wynn Reverend A.P. Watson Reverend R.E Mims Reverend Elijah Nelson Reverend A.L Jelk 1964-19851964-1985 Reverend E. J. Johnson (14 years) Reverend Verle N. Reeves (7 years) 1986 -20021986 -2002 Reverend Joseph Young Reverend C.P. Coleman 2002-20242002-2024 Reverend J.W. Palmer Jr. Reverend Herbert Spears Reverend Ranches Hall 2024-PRESEN T2024-PRESEN T 6

Sons and DaugthersSons and DaugthersBishop H.A. Belin Jr. Supervisor Constance Belin Wicker OF THE SOIL BISHOPS AND SUPERVISORS Pastors Reverend Leonard Hall Reverend Nolan Pitts Reverend Ranches Hall Reverend Andrew Simms Reverend George Simms Reverend Moses Simms Reverend Margaret Simms Reverend Fredrick Crayton Reverend Betty Claiborne Reverend Troy Grimes Reverend Victor McGhee Reverend Mary Murray Reverend Delores Baker Reverend Orin Blouin Reverend Lloyd Guy Reverend Mary Guy Reverend Terry McGhee Reverend Patricia Nixon Reverend Adrian Lamotte Past Church Officers Bro. Ernest Spears Bro. Charles Hawkins Bro. Ernest Stewart Sis. Lillie Bell Pitts Jackson Sis. Lizzie Pitts Norman Sis. Julia Stewart Sis. Minnie Ramsey Bro. Wilbert Pitts Sis. Beatrice Belin Sis. Ellis Martin Sis. Amy Raymond Bro. Peter Dangerfield Sis. Agnes Spears Bro. Leonard Spears Sis. Marcelean Ard Bro. Joe Ard Bro. Andrew Murray Bro. John B. Sibley Bro. F.D. Crayton Sis. Leola Leverston Sis. Mae E. Lamotte Bro. Edward Belin Sis. Evelyn Simms Sis. Josie Janary Sis. Mary Brumfield Bro. Warren Pitts Bro, Benjamin Bush Sis. Carrie Mae Pitts Bro. Willard Hinton Bro. Willie Brumfield 7

Sons and DaugthersSons and DaugthersOF THE SOILOrder Of Service 8

Church AnniversaryChurch AnniversaryCLOSING SERVICEOrder Of Service 10

12 Cecile Washington African Methodist Episcopal Church (Soon to be known as Greater Greene Chapel AME Church) 1927-1940 Greater Greene Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church 1940-PRESENT

13 1927-Present History of Greater Greene Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church The history of Greater Greene Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church began in March 1927 in Baton Rouge, initiated by Mrs. Cecile Washington. She laid the groundwork for the congregation and built its first edifice on Eureka Street, which was named the Cecile Washington AME Church in her honor. However, following her passing, relatives seized the building, forcing the congregation and their pastor, Reverend H. A. Belin, Sr., to temporarily hold services in various local homes and churches. Through hard manual labor, the members eventually purchased land on North 32nd Street and completed a new church building in 1940, renaming it Greene Chapel AME Church after Bishop S. L. Greene. The congregation faced another major catastrophe in 1962 when the church building caught fire and burned down under the pastoral leadership of Reverend A.L. Jelks, an active figure in local Civil Rights activities. Displaced once again, the members refused to give up, conducting their services at a local Masonic building and St. Mary Baptist Church. In 1964, Reverend E. James Johnson was appointed pastor, and under his leadership, the members worked diligently and made immense sacrifices to raise the money needed to build their present church edifice, which was dedicated on January 6, 1966. Through subsequent fundraisers led by dedicated members like Mrs. Mae E. Lamotte, the church officially paid off and burned its mortgage in August 1977. Following the passing of Reverend Johnson in 1978, the church continued to thrive under a succession of spiritual leaders, including Reverends Verle N. Reeves and Joseph Young. In 1989, Reverend C. P. Coleman took over leadership for a fruitful thirteen-year tenure, during which the church expanded its footprint by purchasing seven adjacent lots and a building that was converted into a dedicated activity center. Rev. Coleman served until his retirement from active ministry in 2002, leaving behind a significantly larger church campus.

14 Rev. James W. Palmer, Jr. assumed leadership in 2002 under the assignment of Bishop Cornal Garnett Henning. Under Pastor Palmer's guidance, the church experienced continuous progress, acquiring a new church van and a dedicated parsonage. Physical improvements were also made to the sanctuary, including upgraded lighting and air-conditioning systems, alongside a complete renovation of the fellowship hall. Throughout its 100-year history, the church has been supported by numerous Presiding Elders and dedicated lay officers who worked titlesly to maintain the congregation. Furthermore, the church served as a spiritual incubator, producing many ministers, pastors, and even a bishop, including Bishop H. A. Belin, Jr. and a long list of local religious leaders. In March 2004, the prominent church worker Mrs. Mae E. Lamotte passed away, leaving behind a lasting final legacy. Just before her death, she spearheaded a monumental fundraiser designed to share financial support among various church departments, including the E. V. Whitfield Missionary Society, the YPD, the John B. Sibley Lay Organization, and the Mass Choir. “This is a new day”, proclaimed Rev. Ranches Hall, newly assigned ministerial leader of Greater Greene Chapel AME Church. Rev. Hall was appointed by Bishop Stafford J.N. Wicker in January of 2024. “With a deep commitment to God and a heart for serving others, Rev. Hall brings dynamic authenticity to his ministry,” observed by Braelan Clark, who is very active in the Young People’s Division Department at Greene Chapel. We definitely have come this far by faith, a CENTURY!! Leaning on the Lord and trusting in his Holy word! As we trust in God, we are still marching up the King’s highway!

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