Hood A.M.E. Zion Church facts for kids
The Hood African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church is a very old church in Oyster Bay, New York. It was started way back in 1848. This church is special because it's the oldest group of people still meeting for services in the same building in Oyster Bay!
The first building was a small wooden church built in 1856. Later, the church was renamed to honor an important early leader, Bishop James Walker Hood. In 1937, the wooden church was covered with the brick outside that you see today. From 1937 to 1963, Reverend Moses T. Smith was the pastor. Reverend Kenneth Nelson led the church from 1981 until he retired in 2013. After that, Reverend Linda B. Vanager became the pastor.
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The Church's Journey: A Look at Its History
Many churches have built new buildings over hundreds of years. But the Hood African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church is unique. It's the oldest group of people still holding services in its original building in Oyster Bay.
In 1848, a group of African American families wanted to start a church. A kind person named Edward Weekes gave them the land for it. They built a small wooden church in 1856. They first called it the First African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. Later, they changed the name to Hood AME Zion Church. This was to honor an early bishop, the Right Reverend James Walker Hood.
Overcoming Challenges
The church started with a small group of people. They sometimes had a hard time finding enough money to keep a pastor. A pastor is like a minister or spiritual leader. During some periods, they had to worship without one. But they kept going! In 1884, the Weeks family helped again. John Abeel Weeks gave them land in Pine Hollow for a cemetery.
To help raise money, the church held many events. They had fairs and concerts. But most pastors could only stay for a few months at a time. In the 1890s, Reverend John LaChia held concerts and "Chowder Suppers" at Fleets Hall. They hoped to raise enough money to build a home for the pastor, called a parsonage. They raised enough to build the foundation, but no more.
Building a Community
Another pastor, Reverend James Gaskill, brought together leaders from other churches in Oyster Bay. They all worked together to help with fundraising. Important families in Oyster Bay also gave money. Within a year, the parsonage was built! They also added electric lights to the church.
In 1937, the wooden church building was covered with the brick outside that you see today. Reverend Moses T. Smith was the pastor from 1937 to 1963. He served for 26 years, which was the longest time any pastor had stayed at the church. Today, this historic church continues to be an important part of the Oyster Bay community.
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