ABOUT US

HISTORY

Hunters Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church was established November 09, 1887 in the Stewartsville Township in Scotland County, North Carolina. Some of the early founders were the Reverends S. B. Hunter, John Hooper, A. W. Wall, A. B. Patterson. E. W. Williams and others.
   In 1912 Hunters Chapel and Franklin Chapel were on the Fayetteville District and they worshipped together. During that time the pastor was Rev. G. W. Richardson and Rev. W. W. Slade was the Presiding Elder and the Presiding Prelate was Bishop J. W. Hood. 
In 1914 the Laurinburg District was established. Hunters Chapel and Franklin Chapel were separated when the pastor was Rev. J. W. Hills and the Presiding Elder was the Rev. Pete Robinson.
There were many great ministers that we cannot name who gave their best for the kingdom building. The members of Hunters Chapel decided to build a new block Church in January,1968 under the leadership of Rev. Thurman H. Murphy. The Trustees were Grant Monroe, Sr., McCrimmon, Jim Mannings and Lou Anna Douglas.
In 1985 the Church was rebuilt under the administration of Rev. Robert Stephens. This occurred as a result of destruction by a tornado. A parcel of land was purchased that was next to the Church.
Under the dynamic administration of Rev. Tim McKoy, Hunters Chapel grew. He established the Golden Roses, Children Church, Outreach Ministry, Family and Friends Day, Junior Stewards training and purchased chairs for the fellowship hall.
Rev. Dwayne Murphy received the appointment to Hunters Chapel and under his administration the Church purchased a van.
Since then many ministers have come and gone while utilizing their gifts to lead us onward for the building of God’s Kingdom. They were Rev. Ronald McCrowe, Rev. Gary Foskey and Rev. Maximillano McMillan.
It was during the Central North Carolina Annual Conference held in Raleigh, North Carolina in the year 2000 that the Rev. Sarah B. Kelly received the appointment for Hunters Chapel AME Zion Church. Under her leadership and fine administration the Church continued to move forward. New members were added, purchases were made to enhance the Church such as air conditioning unit, beautiful lights for the sanctuary, and a choir loft, carpet in the pastor’s office, painted the interior of the fellowship hall, furniture for vestibule and extended the vestibule. New bathrooms were added to front entrance of the Church. She was the pastor from 2010-2014. Rev. Kelvin Freeman was our pastor from November 2014- November 2020.
Last Annual Conference virtually during this pandemic, the Rev. Julia E. McAllister was given the charge to Hunters Chapel AME Zion Church. Under this “Miracle believing pastor”  with outstanding administrative skills, a member has been added, members have returned to the church, new chairs for the fellowship hall have been purchased, a telephone and internet are being installed and food boxes were distributed to church and community. Many repairs have been made during this conference year. A Mid-Week Scripture and Prayer Ministry established.  The ministries of the church have flourished during this pandemic. The Presiding Elder is the Rev. Dr. Chalmers McDougald. To God be the Glory for it all!