Zion A.M.E. Church
- Lawrence Lore
- Apr 22
- 2 min read
Don't Forget: — Dr. Jacob Skousen of the Illinois State Archaeological Survey will present “Exploring Mississippian Culture from Cahokia to Otter Pond” on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. at Pleasant Ridge Christian Church at Pinkstaff near Lawrenceville.
Allison Prairie, Lawrence County, Illinois
The discovery of an early African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) church in Lawrence County was made by John M. King. For many years, it was believed that the A.M.E. church at Pinkstaff was the first in the county and that earlier congregations met only in private homes rather than in dedicated church buildings.
Zion A.M.E. Church was organized in 1853 on Allison Prairie under the leadership of Basil L. Brooks of the Indiana A.M.E. Conference. The original trustees were James H. Pettiford, William Day Sr., and Rozell Taylor. The existence of Zion A.M.E. Church, along with the names of its first trustees, is documented in two deeds dated 1853. These records place the church in the southwest corner of the east half of the southwest quarter of Section 18, Township 4, Range 10, approximately four miles southwest of Russellville.
Records indicate that Zion A.M.E. Church had a dedicated building by the end of 1853. Documentation from the probate file of William Day at the Lawrence County Courthouse shows that on October 26, 1853, Trustee William Day purchased a stove and stovepipe for the church building from N. Smith & Sons, stove merchants in Vincennes. The account for this purchase remained unpaid until after William Day’s death in 1855.
(This article was summarized from a 19-page publication prepared by John King. For more information contact John King, Lawrence County Historical Society, lawrencelore@gmail.com)
Don't foarget to register for the Find Your Patriot program
Contact: Lawrence County Historical Society lawrencelore@gmail.com or 908-208-2372
Event: Find Your Patriot – Genealogy Research Program
Dates: April 18, April 25, and May 2, 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Cost: $76.00
Location: Lawrence County Historical Society Research Library, Lawrenceville
