THE CHURCH HISTORY

The African Methodist Episcopal Church was born in spiritual tension arising out of hostile ecclesiastical confrontation. Led by Richard Allen and others, a period of agitation for separation occurred between 1787 and 1816. This period of activity culminated in the founding of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1816. Bonds people, quickened by the release from a system that sought to limit their theological grasp of Christianity, began to dot the nations landscape with their churches.

Amanda Flipper African Methodist Episcopal Church had its beginning in 1921, when a group of Christians who had been members of various A.M.E. congregations found themselves without a church home in their new Davis Street community. Under the leadership of the Rev. T.M. King, Amanda Flipper African Methodist Episcopal Church was organized to provide a center of A.M.E. fellowship in the community. The first location was at 173 Davis Street (later named Northside Drive) in Atlanta.

The church was named after the wife of the late Bishop Joseph Simeon Flipper, who served from 1912 – 1928 as the thirty-third (33^rd) Bishop of the Sixth Episcopal District.

And those who are wise – the people of God – shall shine as brightly as the sun’s brilliance and those who turn many to righteousness will glitter like stars forever. Daniel 12: 3 LB

Throughout the years, the Church has been blessed with outstanding leadership. Each leader has led the congregation in a Christ–like manner and greatly enhanced the spiritual fulfillment of its members as well as the community. Some of the more outstanding ministers of African Methodism have served Amanda Flipper African Methodist Episcopal Church. From 1921-1926 the following ministers provided leadership:

The Reverends: T.M. King, G.W. Young, H.R. Tremelin, E. McCain, L.A. Stroud, R.E. Mathers, J.K. Garner, W.L. Renfro, J.S. Green, L.W. Lane, A.D.Addison, H.R. Armistead, H.E. Brown, E.P. Yorp, J.W. Judge, G.N. Jones, J.T. McMillen, C.D. Mitchell, W. M. Withers.

Under the leadership of Rev. Withers, we secured a mortgage to finance much needed repairs to the church building. By the grace of God and with the diligent effort and fervent prayers of the righteous, we were able to burn the mortgage during Rev. Withers’ tenure.

The 1960’s were years of great social change and we were led during this period by two fine pastors: Rev. T.A. Fulton and Rev. George Moore, Sr.

Approaching our fiftieth year of service, we saw the need for refurbishment and improvement of our church building. Under the leadership of Rev. George Moore, Sr. we secured a mortgage for the much needed face lift. This allowed us to go from a frame to a brick structure. We moved into the 1970’s with a new look and continued to serve under the leadership of the following pastors:

The Reverends:Daniel W. Jacobs, Sr., G.A. Roberts, C. Adams, W.D. Wheeler (under whose administration the mortgage was burned) Ruben Bussey, I.N. Hudson, D.S. Saunders and R.E. Brailsford, Sr.

The late 1980’s was a critical point in our history. We were being forced to relocate due to the expansion of the Georgia World Congress Center, and the building of the Georgia Dome. With the love of God and the steadfastness of Rev. Brailsford, we prevailed after months of struggle for adequate compensation for our property. For the first time, the church was properly incorporated and our seal was obtained.

Then your light will break out like the dawn, and your recovery will speedily spring forth; and your righteousness will go before you, the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.

Isaiah 58:8 NASB

On September 4, 1990 God blessed us to purchase our new and current church home. Rev. Brailsford stood tall at the dedication service attended by Bishop John Hearst and his wife, Dr. Dolly D. Adams. Since moving to our new church home, we have served under the leadership of the Reverends Daniel W. Jacobs, Sr. and Ronald Mizer.

In June 1994, we joined the trailblazers by welcoming our first female pastor, the Rev. Nicolene Angela Durham. She comes with a unique style of ministry. Though soft spoken and often unassuming, she is Holy Ghost filled, dynamic and vibrant. Rev. Durham is blessed with the supernatural gift to heal the sick and raise the spiritually dead. The once depleted membership has blossomed and continues to flourish. We fulfill God’s words through our Outreach Ministry to the needy and less fortunate. Amanda Flipper is now an official member of the Decatur Cooperative Ministry which serves the homeless women and children of Metropolitan Atlanta.

Our Pastor’s uniqueness is also recognized by the 6^th Episcopal District, in that Rev. Durham was appointed as the first female delegate to the 1996 General Conference.

In May 2017, God blessed us to have a new Angel to Shepard the flock, the Rev. Tracey Fletcher as she comes with a very spirit led style preaching and teaching. Pastor Fletcher seeks God’s guidance in everything she does concerning ministry, the church and God’s people. The church has been re-branded as “the Love Center” where the spirit of God Rest Rule and Abide. The vision under pastor Fletcher is the 3 fold, A loving church, astatically pleasing to the eyes and a church that teach the Word of God.

In October 2021, Rev. Cynthia Strickland was appointed to become our New Leader. Pastor Strickland comes with a practical and dynamic teaching style which helps people apply the truth of scriptures to their everyday lives." A NEW BEGINNING" was the title of her very first sermon preached here.

Rev. Strickland vision for Amanda Flipper is to inspire others to believe in God and to become all God has created us to be. Rev. Strickland believes in encouraging that God has a great plan for your life, a plan that only you can fulfill. God has made us all special and unique, unlike anyone else, and God accepts us unconditionally.