In 1865, three and one-half acres of land were given by Captain Frank Brown to one of his servants, known as Amster Brown.

 

At last, Mr. Brown's prayers had been answered. His lingering desire to have a dwelling for religious worshipping was no longer a part of his innermost thoughts. His dream had succumbed to reality. He immediately met with a group of energetic and loyal individuals who had caught the vision and proceeded in building a brush arbor on the land given by Captain Frank Brown. From their unrestrained efforts and determination, Pineville AME Zion Church was established and named.

 

Later a log cabin was built where service was held for a number of years. Still inspired by the Holy Spirit, Amster Brown and the growing membership constructed a larger wooden structure adjacent to the log cabin.

 

Our forefathers had a thirst for knowledge unique to any other church family in the AME Zion Connection. They were genuinely concerned about educating their youth. Miracaulously from their endeavors, a school was constructed and organized. Students were taught reading, writing, and arithmetic. We are eternally grateful for having the following educators who taught our scholars basic skills for academic achievement: Mrs. Cammie Stewart, Mrs. Coreen Russell, Mrs. Idell Nash McCoy, and Mr. L. Johnson. We applaud these remarkable individuals for doing a job well done. The fruits of their laboring have now emerged into productive citizens in today's society.

 

We have had outstanding leadership throughout our history. Our former Bishops include: The Right Reverends E.D.W. Jones, John W. Martin, W.W. Slade, Daniel C. Pope, H.B. Shaw, J.D. Cauthen, Arthur Marshall, Jr., Richard L. Fisher, Charles H. Foggie, George E. Battle, Jr., Joseph Johnson, Clarence Carr, Kenneth Monroe, and the present Presiding Prelate, the Right Reverend Mildred B. Hines.

 

We were fortunate to have had the following dynamic and creative individuals serve as Elders: Reverends Crockett, John T. Murdock, H.R. Hawkins, C.J. Jenkins, W.O. Thompson and Reverend Sharon A. Browning who is presently serving as Presiding Elder.

 

Along with the preceding elders, the following Ministers also made an outstanding contribution to the growth of our Church: Reverends J.H. Stevenson, Issand, Hood, Belton, Byers, Robinson, John Martin, Robinson, Ikeburger, McGhee, Steele, Davis, Graham, Barnes, Kinder, Shaw, Crockett, Benjamin, Person, Goodwin, Boyd, Pegues, Love, and our current pastor Reverend Dr. Victor C. Wilson.

 

The brick structure, adjacent to our present edifice , was constructed and completed under the leadership of Reverend Foster R. Benjamin. The building served as a dwelling for Pineville AME Zion Church for more than 30 years.

 

In 1983, the Reverend Eugene Goodwin, who was appointed by the late Bishop Arthur Marshall Jr., began his pastorate at Pineville AME Zion Church. Reverend Goodwin developed a documented program that allowed the church to operate effectively and efficiently. He initiated having all church property offically deeded in 1989. Trustee Boards One and Two assisted him in purchasing three acres of land for the purpose of building a new edifice in which construction began in 1990 and was completed in July 1991.

 

The new, current edifice accomodates a nursery, six classrooms, a dining hall and kitchen, a business office, an office for the Director of Christian Education, a communion room, a Library, an office and study for the Pastor, a parlor and eight bathrooms.

 

Members of Pineville AME Zion Church are motivated by the Holy Spirit. We are proud of our accomplishments under the dynamic leadership of our pastors. We are thankful and have deep gratitude to Almighty God who has solidified our congregation and made it possible for us to consumate the move and be driven into new horizons. We pray that peace, love, kindness, benevolence, and prosperity will continue to flourish and be bountiful within our hearts.