Greater Allen Temple A.M.E.
Church History
"Covered By Faith"
Allen Chapel AME was organized in 1889. Its first name was Bear Creek AME Church. Later Sister Ernestine Davis changed the name to Allen Chapel after Historical Allen Chapel downtown Ft. Worth. Mr. Harrington gave the land deeds to Mrs. Julia Patterson who then donated the land to Allen Chapel. Allen Chapel was a part of the Grand Prairie Circuit with Evening Chapel AMEC, whose pastoral days were 2nd and 4th Sundays.
The founding members were Polly Record, Sally Lively, Martha Chivers, Jannie Chivers, Julia Patterson and George Patterson. The earlier pioneers were William Boles, Lizzie Boles, Alrex McKensie, Johnette Jones, Fannie Chambers, Emma Taylor, Jim Chivers, Francie Alexander, Lillie Shelton, Armether Parker, Dan Parker, Arlene Brewer, Erma Boles Trigg, Rosetta Purvis, Walter McKenzie, Robert Chivers, Ernestine Russell, and Sam Daniel. Lucy Daniel and Alexander King and Viola Sweat.
Brother William Boles built the first structure. The Rev. J.W. Franklin and Alexander King added the fellowship hall, where they entertained the first District Meeting. Then some years later the Rev. C.R. Walker added the vestibule. Under Rev. Merrell Johnson’s term the pews and furniture were added. Rev. P.D. Saddle did a fine job by helping to provide gas, water and a new top on the church. During the pastoral term of Rev. Eddie Reed Jr. The two front bathrooms were added to the church. In 1960 Allen Chapel became a station church (services every Sunday).
Then in 1985 Rev. Bernard Smith began major renovations. Pastor Smith and the Trustees of Allen Chapel were able to sign a new contract enabling the bricking, central air and heat, and remodeling of the old structure. The church was re-dedicated on Sunday, Nov. 30, 1986 with Bishop R.E. Stokes officiating at the Dedicatory Services. Under Rev. Smith term a new Usher Board and Youth Choir was established.
At the close of the 20 th century the North Texas Conference sent Rev. Charles E. Franklin and under his leadership the present building has been remodeled, and nine new ministries founded. Under Rev. Franklin term GAT attain our City of Grand Prairie Historical Marker. (2001) The name was changed to Greater Allen Temple A.M.E. at the 1999 Annual Conference.
At Founder’s Day February 16, 2002 the Lord sent us a “Joshua” The Rev. Cecil E. Youman Jr. Under his short term here he has implemented, new ministries, Develop Discipleship Training Classes on each Monday, Wednesday High Noon Prayer Hour, and Tutoring Classes
In November 2005 the Lord sent us the Rev. Michael Waters. In the short nine months of Rev. Waters’s leadership we started Senior’s On The Move Fellowship Ministry, Pastor Unity Bible Study And Dunamis (Ministerial Staff classes), Mid-Week Worship Celebration. The Lord has blessed us to pay off our five- year loan under the leadership of Rev. Waters (Aug. 2005). Also under Rev. Waters’s leadership for the first time in history G.A.T. are the owners of a church bus where we are able to sponsor a Bus Ministry. In November of 2006 God bestowed another blessing to us in that of Rev. Samuel Baker as the Shepherd of GAT. Under Rev. Baker, additional ministries were founded, Yahweh Ministry, and Evangelism Ministry.
*Note: we acknowledge that this brief sketch is not the complete history of all the events and people that have been a part of the rich heritage of Greater Allen Temple. In advance please forgive us for omitting any important names or details in this history. Please write the omitted information on paper and turn into the office. Thank you.
Among those who served are:
Rev. Mary Miller - November 15, 2008 - Present
Rev. Samuel Baker – November 2006 - November 15, 2008
Rev. Michael W. Waters - November 2004 – Nov. 2006
Rev. Cecil E. Youman Jr. – Feb. 2002 – November 2004
Rev. Charles Franklin – 1995 – Feb. 2002
Rev. William Burnett – 1993 – 1995
Rev. William Vaughn Sr. – 1990 – 1993
Rev. C.O. Epps – 1988 – 1990
Rev. Bernard Smith – 1985- 1988
Rev. E. G. Reed Jr. – 1979 – 1985
Rev. R. C. Woods – 1978 – 1979
Rev. Fredia Berry – 1976 – 1978
Rev. L. H. Cole – 1975 – 1976
Rev. Riley Green – 1973 – 1975
Rev. P.D. Saddler – 1966 – 1973
Rev. Merrel Johnson – 1962 – 1966
Rev. O. J. Spruiell – 1960 – 1962
Rev. Bell
Rev. Lewis
Rev. N. A. Burton
Rev. Ballard
Rev. Commodore R. Walker
Rev. J. W. Franklin
Rev. M. B. Stearn
Rev. J. A. Haley
Other ministers include Rev. Mango, Rev. Wells, and Rev. Sis. Johnson, Rev.Tillford, and Rev. Casey. (Allen Chapel) Greater Allen Temple has produced six sons and nine daughters, namely Rev. Alonzo Stephenson, Rev. Virgil Trigg,
Rev. Timothy Wilbert, and Bro. Selwyn Miles,
Bro. Nineveh Franklin Jr., Sis. Rosie Baker, Sis. Virginia Ross,Sis. Mary Brown,
Sis. LaTasha Till Eskridge, Rev. LaResa Tyson, Sis. Ladette Williams,
Sis. LaWanda Williams, Bro. Evermonde King, Sis. Demetria Martin
and Sis. Fekecia Gunn
