history | 150th

/history

In The Beginning 1864 to 1900s

The Quinn Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church was born out of the suffering of free men and women who longed to worship God as they saw fit. In the time period from 1864 to 1868, our forefathers met and worshiped in each other's homes.

In 1864, the founding members of the Society included Hester Daniels, Willis Johnson and wife, William Lyons, Mary Lyons, Moses Tandy, Mr. Farmer and wife, Jeannie Tandy, Joseph Jackson and wife, Milly Davall, Henrietta Jackson, Nelson Forbus and wife, and Mr. Headly. This organization was formed in the home of Hester Daniels, in the vicinity of what was then known as the Ice House. The Society would later become Quinn Chapel. This early beginning was brought to life in a skit presented in April 2014 by the 150th Anniversary History Research Committee. This story was told through the eyes of Hester Daniels, one of the founding members, who offered her home as Quinn Chapel's first meeting place.

In 1868 Rev. B.W. Arnett, who was on the Walnut Hills and Lockland circuit of the African Methodist Church, began to serve as Itinerant pastor to the Society and supported their efforts to become a church. Many ministers served the congregation during this period. Among them were the Rev. Nelson, the Rev. Woodson, the Rev. J. Lewis, the Rev. M.M. Smith, the Rev. W.T. Artis and the Rev. W.T. Maxwell.

Pastors of Quinn Chapel A.M.E. Church

Click here to hear Hester Daniels tell the early Quinn story

On October 10, 1886, Rev. LA. Collins was assigned to Glendale. During his Pastorate, an organ was purchased for $100. It replaced an organ that was too expensive for the church's budget. The new organ provided an emotional lift for the little congregation, because music was an important element of every Quinn worship service.

On November 26, 1888, the congregation purchased a lot for $150 on East Willow Avenue and signed a contract with H. Shaffer to build a church. The church edifice was completed in less than six months and formally opened on May 6, 1889. Pastor W.T. Maxwell, Presiding Elder Charles Bundy and E.E. White conducted the dedication service.

In the early 1900's, the men of Quinn improved the church building by digging a basement by hand using shovels. Jacks were used to lift the floor and temporarily support it with cinder blocks, until a new foundation was built. This was an amazing accomplishment.

It was in this structure, with a number of refurbishing and renewal projects, including the eventual building of a parsonage, that our congregation worshiped from 1889 to 1983.

The Early Years - 1920s – 1940s

The early church was remodeled in 1928. Much of what we know about the early church has been recorded in journals, detailing information from quarterly conferences from 1929 and 1930. The records reflect that the church was served by the Rev. S.L. Snell and Presiding Elder, Rev. N.W. Brown. They reported 82 members and the pastor's salary was $26.95. It was recorded in 1930 that the church's indebtedness for the mortgage was $1,740.

Under the leadership of Rev. C. E. Drummer, who served from 1939 to 1943, the mortgage for the Willow Street Quinn Chapel A.M.E. Church was paid off on January 15, 1942.

A Time of Transition - 1950s - 1960s

Quinn Chapel A.M.E. Church, in Glendale, continued its efforts in the 1950s to grow the membership, develop the church’s organizational structure, and maintain the church building.

An important focus during this period was teaching the Bible to the congregation and teaching the history and discipline of the A.M.E. Church. Limited staff resources required individuals to wear “multiple hats”

to accomplish all that needed to be done. An example of this was church leader Rease Warfield, who taught four different Sunday School classes until Arthur Shivers another leader, assumed the task of teaching the adult class. Not only did they teach Sunday School, they taught the history of the A.M.E. Church as well.

Church membership grew and some in the congregation were earning higher wages. This resulted in increased weekly offerings. The additional income allowed Quinn to build a parsonage that was dedicated in April 1955. Another result of increased Sunday offerings was the boost in the pastor's weekly salary to $45. It had remained under $40 for almost 20 years.

Major Changes Foster New Beginnings - 1970s - 1980s

The 1970s was an era of change at Quinn Chapel. The seeds of a future Quinn were nurtured under the leadership of the Rev. Ronald Jackson from 1970 to 1974 and the Rev. Elbert Matthews from 1975 to 1979. Those years were a prelude to something big! They represented “a bridge to the New Quinn.” The end of 1979, marked the start of an exponential period of growth and development for Quinn Chapel A.M.E. Church under the pastorate of the Rev. Donald Jordan. Rev. Jordan frequently stated, “Where you come from is not nearly as important as where you are going.”

Under the leadership of Rev. Jordan, Quinn Chapel began the journey in February 1980, to a new and more influential Quinn within the A.M.E. connection. Two and one-half acres of land were purchased for $90,000 at the corner of Sharon Road and Southland Boulevard in Forest Park, Ohio. That set the stage for building what we now know as Quinn Chapel A.M.E. Church, Forest Park.

During the month of April 1980, Bishop Vinton R. Anderson participated in the ground breaking ceremony at our present location. The period following the ground breaking ceremony proved to be very challenging. Quinn's next step was the hiring of Glendale Architect Addison Clipson, who met with the Pastor, Trustees and the Building Committee to discuss the requirements for a new building. Over the next 36 months, Quinn Chapel progressed from construction drawings to a building that was phase one of Quinn Chapel, Forest Park. Bishop Anderson returned on May 29, 1983 to preside over the dedication of the church.

In May 1987, Quinn Chapel A.M.E. Church took another leap of faith and purchased the additional adjoining three acres of land where the present sanctuary, library and classrooms are located.

Rev. Jordan, had a vision for the future and rallied Quinn to share in his vision. During the decade of the 1980s, Sunday collections amounted to over $1,500,000 and 649 members were added to the rolls. Church ministries and the congregation were engaged and involved in community outreach and A.M.E. connectional activities