In October, 1796, the African Methodists Episcopal Zion Church was founded in New York City. This organization grew out of the well-known dissatisfaction among the people of color over the kind of treatment they received in the fellowship of the white church.

This period of history was rave, villainous, stupendous, and demeaning, as moderate whites and slaves owners could not agree as to the role the church should take regarding "the Blacks". Fears became more prevalent and tensions began to mount all over America. These growing conditions of slavery, humiliation, and persecution inspired a few of the most intelligent Black leaders of John Street Church to establish a new denomination. Only a few could read or write, yet under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the burning desire for freedom, leaders sprang forth to lay concrete plans for a movement of Methodism which would create a new emphasis upon human freedom and liberation.

They planned prayerfully and well, and reached the crest of their fondest dream in 1796. "Indeed, the story of the A.M .E. Zion Church is a romance, built on faith, hope, fortitude, and courage inspired by God, and His Son, Jesus Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit."

This fledging organization experience normal growth pains through turbulent days. Some preachers withdrew: others wavered; and the people sometimes lost heart. But Varick stood like a rock amid some raging storms and brought the new ship of Zion through a series of crises to American founders of a great religious denomination.

We salute the fathers and mothers whose vision, insights, and wisdom provided for us today and identify in the pride and appreciation of the fatherland, its ancient cultures, and background, as well as or posterity, by declaring that this church is so named because it was to lead the struggle for freedom for the descendants of Africa, in the interest of humanity, regardless of race, color, sex, or condition.

The word "Zion" was added to distinguish us from other Afro-American Methodist organizations.

The one and only essential commission which the Church has been regarding the world is to be a witness to the world. However profound a sermon; however solemn an act of worship; however well organized a system of pastoral care; however methodical an instruction; however ingenious a theology; however effective a charity . . . there is no value in all of this if it is done in the isolation of a self-congratulating community. A church which only lives for itself is not truly Christian. Any truly Christian church must be dedicated to Christian mission and world evangelism, Christian perfection, and human liberation.

Bishop R. L. Speaks, Our Heritage of Faith Celebrating the BICENTENNIAL of Zion Methodism