Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church History

"Time has obscured our knowledge of the complete history of Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church. The earliest beginnings are known by the word of a cornerstone, which reads:
                                                       ALLEN CHAPEL
                                                       A.M.E. CHURCH
                                                    Erected Oct. 30, 1921
                                                              Trustees
                                                    H.W. King C. Mackey
                                                     Jas. Welch B. Handy
                                                              E. Butler
                                                       W.A. Fountain, Bp
                                                    J.W. Washington, P.E.
                                                       R.W. Humble, P.C.
                                                          H.W. King Sec.
We stand on the shoulders of these, other Christian soldiers whose names, and deeds, unknown to our memory, were written into the Book of Life by the hand of the Almighty God we serve. The thriving, vibrant Allen Chapel that we know today is a living testament to their faith.

We trace a portion of our history back to a few dedicated persons who kept alive the dream of an African Methodist Episcopal Church in Scotlandville, Louisiana, a black community in the northern portion of East Baton Rouge Parish. Committed Christian servants, Joe Lewis, Jack Labore, Howard Adams, Ms. A.R. Williams, Ms. Emma Lewis, Ms. Tessie Young, and Ms. Miama Butler met in homes and the congregation survived. They sought the advice of Rev. L.C. Thomas, who directed the reorganization of the church about 1927.

A real estate agent, Lewis Babin, donated a parcel of land on Sora Street where the struggling African Methodist congregation erected a small frame building. Poor drainage and frequent flooding, however, forced the church to seek a site on higher ground. Also included among the early members were Mrs. L.A. Washington and family, Mrs. A.R. Cage and mother, and Mrs. Marish J. Revish.

Prior to 1940, several pastors served Allen Chapel. They included Reverends L.C. Thomas, W.C. Armstead, L. Hall, Sam Washington, George Washington, and I.S. Wilson. In 1940, a storm destroyed the church building. The new pastor Rev. S.A. Lofton and J.K. Washington, Sr., led the congregation to 1292 Cardinal Street where they erected another frame building and changed the name to “Greater Allen Chapel.” The church continued to flourish after 1940 led by Reverends S.A. Lofton, E.W. Edwards, W.W. Hunt, J.K. Washington, Sr., H. Perkins, H. A. Belin, N. Roy Evans, S. Smith, Henry Bolen, Samuel Pitts, V.W. Williams, Samuel M. Johnson, Larry M. Banks, and Nelson D. Taylor, Sr.

Under the leadership of Rev. V.W. Williams, Allen Chapel began constructing a stone building about 1957. Shortly after Rev. Williams was reassigned, the partially completed structure collapsed. Rev. A.C. Evans led the congregation in obtaining a temporary place to worship at a Masonic Hall on Mills Avenue. Later, Rev. Samuel Pitts led the congregation in partially completing the building sufficient for worship services. Rev. V.W. Williams returned as pastor in 1964. The congregation paid off the mortgage and began a building fund. In 1977, Allen Chapel moved into its present facilities at 6175 Scenic Highway. Following Rev. Williams was the Reverends Samuel M. Johnson, and Larry M. Banks, under whom the vision and establishment of a Bus Ministry was accomplished. Nelson D. Taylor, Sr., led the congregation in praise worship and liquidating a One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollar ($150,000) mortgage. Afterward, the Rev. Ray Anthony Jackson and the Rev. A.J. Parnell served for two years and during the last two years until present, we were blessed with our own son, Rev. Bland Washington, Sr., serving as pastor.

Sons and Daughters of the ministry of Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church that came under the leadership of the Rev. V.W. Williams are: Reverends Willie Montgomery; Constant Coleman; Miriam J. Mitchell; Bland Washington; and Nelson D. Taylor. Rev. Mattie Taylor came into the ministry under the leadership of Rev. Samuel M. Johnson. Two Sons came under the leadership of Rev. Larry M. Banks and they were Rev. Larry Whitley and Rev. Leslie Lee. Rev. Nelson D. Taylor, a Son of Allen Chapel was assigned as Pastor. Under his leadership were a Son and Daughter, Reverends Russell Erich Caulfield and Monya Stubbs.

Allen Chapel is committed to continuing the legacy of the founder of the A.M.E. Church for whom our local church is named. The gospel is preached and God’s people are served. Allen Chapel operates several programs, including a food and clothing pantry to help needy citizens and the Missionary Outreach Program, which comforts the sick and shut-ins of the community."

Source: Allen Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, 1921 - 2007 - 86th Church Anniversary Program, August 19, 2007

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