Our History
Founded in 1883, Saint Peter AME Church is one of the first African Methodist Episcopal churches in Middle Georgia.
From humbling beginnings
From a modest start, a few of Christians decided to discontinue attending Bethel AME Church in Powersville, Georgia, and started attending services under a Brush Arbor near the eastern end of Church Street in Fort Valley, Georgia. After some time of worshipping there, they built a simple frame church on Church Street in the 1890s with land granted by Mr. Fairfax. The structure was destroyed by fire and a storm in 1895. On land given by Mr. Griffin, this tiny Christian group rebuilt another Church on Hiley Street. Despite the poor quality of these two timber structures, Christian passion was strong, and more people joined the band of believers. The Powersville Circuit of the Macon Georgia Annual Conference was contacted to officially name and register the Church.
A special reoccurrence
The month of November marks the Anniversary of Saint Peter AME Church. As a religious institution, the founding church fathers – the Sons of Allen took advantage of the new Spirit of emancipation and organized Saint Peter. It stands tall among Christians. However, the celebration of its birth date gives a new impetus to the life of the congregation. We must keep this historic institution prominent in the lives of the church family and the state of Georgia.
The succeeding historic data speak of the years of the continual growth of Saint Peter. Each pastor, board, auxiliary, and department of this religious institution is a vital cog in the machinery of this Godly landmark.
We’re here and thriving
The ongoing church development is proof of the few members' steadfast Christian faith, which includes those from the Basins, Lightfoots, and Hamptons families. The Turners, O'Neals, Watsons, Jordans, Colliers, and a few others were early members who traveled across town to the South Macon Street Area to join Saint Peter. Saint Peter was mentored by a number of charismatic preachers throughout his formative years. Reverends W. B. L. Clark, A. A. Duncan, Sr., Shuford, Roman, Barfield, F. Moore, I. C. Jones, Dorce, J. H. Adams, and J. H. Flemister were among them. Rev. J. H. Myers succeeded Rev. Flemister and predicted that Black people will move near the Fort Valley High and Industrial School.
With the help of church officers, the Rev. Myers set up and purchased a property near the intersection of Spruce and South Macon Street. Our church is presently in this location and although South Macon Street was changed to State College Drive, it is now State University Drive.