CHURCH HISTORY

OUR HISTORY

Byrd's African Methodist Episcopal Church was built in 1894 to function as a convenient, spiritual dwelling for the increasing African American population, which had to walk several miles to Mt. Friendship AME Church. Mt. Friendship was considered the "home church." The African American community, mostly consisting of railroad workers, generally walked the Kenton Road to Mt. Friendship rather than through Smyrna to Bethel AME Church. According to a member, the late Lillian Ross Faust (born 1892), many of Byrd's first members have been buried in Mt. Friendship's cemetery. Originally, the church bore the name of Clayton AME Church. The church's name was changed to Byrd's AME Chapel to recognize Reverend Elijah Byrd.  Reverend Elijah Byrd was responsible for the building of Byrd’s Chapel, while he was still pastoring at Mt. Friendship.  The following is an article written by Rev. Byrd and submitted to the Christian Recorder on December 20th, 1894: 

“Delaware Still Lives -

            After returning to my charge, Mt. Friendship, I found that they needed a church at Clayton, so we called the people together and found that they all wanted a new church.  The first thing to do was to buy a lot; a lot was bought from Rev. W.C. Dickerson, of the M.E. Church; it is on Smyrna Avenue, about five minutes’ walk from the depot, and cost $100.00, which was paid cash.  After going to Dover and seeing that all was right, we commenced to build on July 1st, 1894.  We are proud to say that all of our builders were colored.  This is the best-looking church, south of Wilmington, size 28 x 40 feet, with side entry and belfry 40 feet high, and recess 4 x 10 feet; size of lot 50 x 207 ½ feet deep.  This building was completed in two months; it was dedicated by Bishop B. T. Tanner, Presiding Elder Davis, Rev. C. Jones, and Rev. E. Byrd on September 30th, 1894.  The money raised on dedication day was $115.00.  Bishop A. W. Wayman, hearing of the new church, made us a visit on December 3rd, and preached for us at night.  He was very much pleased with the church.  God bless him, may he live long to preach the Word.  We are proud to say that through God we have been able to raise and pay on our church debt, from July 1st to December 4th, the sum of $334.29.  All Delaware wants is good men.  We hope some more good men may come down next year and lift the standard of the people higher. – Clayton, Delaware”

 On August 28th, 1901, Byrd's AME Chapel, along with its sister church, Mt. Friendship, purchased five acres of land from John P. Hudson as a camp meeting site. With the meeting ground, the two churches were able to hold annual ten-day tent meetings that raised money for both churches, and also provided an inspiring retreat for members and friends. The campsite was later sold. On December 17th, 1907, Byrd's AME Church bought the property which is now West Street, Clayton, DE for $110 for a parsonage.

 On June 10th, 1918, the church was incorporated and became Byrd's African Methodist Episcopal Church. In the late 1950's to early 1960's, the church expanded to include the section that now serves as the kitchen, dining hall, pastor's office, multipurpose office, and restrooms. Byrd's AME Church was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 19th, 1982.

 On December 17th, 1992, Byrd's purchased the entire strip of land beside the church, from one end of the parking chain to the other. This land was purchased from Edith L. Brown, formerly known as Edith Loretta Tracy, for the sum of $3,000.00. Edith and her husband, Clarence Tracy, purchased that area from Real Estate Services, Inc., a Delaware Corporation on, April 26th, 1968.

 In December of 1998, the church experienced a fire. Although damage was done, the church withstood the fire. Presently, Byrd's AME Church continues to be a strong place of praise and worship, celebrating 130 years of providing spiritual guidance and inspiration to those in the Clayton community and beyond.

The Pastors of Byrd’s African Methodist Episcopal Church

·       1894 - Reverend Elijah Byrd – Founder and Builder

·       1895 - Reverend James K. Adams

·       April 1910 – April 1912 – Reverend J. H. Lee

·       April 1912 – Reverend Jackson

·       Reverend Coffee

·       Reverend Thompson

·       Reverend Allen Henry

·       Reverend Gay

·       Reverend James

·       April 1926 – April 1928 - Reverend J. Timons

·       April 1928 – April 1930 - Reverend J. D. Blackston (died on charge)

·       April 1930 – April 1935 – Reverend M.E. Harmon

·       April 1935 – April 1937 – Reverend H.A. Allen

·       April 1937 – April 1942 – Reverend C. W. Freeman

·       April 1942 – April 1949 – Reverend J. H. Wright

·       April 1949 – April 1951 – Reverend W. W. Guy

·       April 1951 – Reverend H. E. Burton

·       Reverend Bradford Lisby

·       Reverend C. Heard

·       Reverend David Benson

·       Reverend G. G. Walker

·       April 1982 – April 20, 1986 - Reverend Jean M. Sudler

·       April 20, 1986 – Reverend Thomas L. Clancy

·       July 12, 1988 – November 1991 – Reverend John Boxley (retired)

·       Reverend Nadine Henry

·       April 1994 – March 2005 – Reverend Shirley M. Smith

·       March 2005 – March 2013 – Reverend Karl A. Stevens

·       March 2013 – June 2021 – Reverend Dawn S. Christopher

·       June 2021 – March 2022 – Rev. Dr. Tresa Coston

·       March 2022 – present – Reverend John Jordan