In America, it is generally conceded that Methodism first shed its light in the city of New York about the year 1765, when a plot of ground on John Street was leased and two years later purchased, and the first chapel was built. During the entire early struggle of the new organization, Black people figured prominently in Methodism, even devoting the building for the first organization. Between the years 1765 and 1796, the number of Black members increased greatly—so much so that caste prejudice forbade their taking the Sacrament until the white families were all served. This and the desire for other church privileges denied them induced them to organize among themselves.

The first church, organized in 1796 and built in 1800, was called Zion. The founders chose this name because “it was the name most frequently used in the Bible to designate the church of God.” It was even Zion Hill before there was a worship house. Among the leaders of the movement was James Varick, who was the first Bishop, and is attributed to be the founding father of the Zion Church. Zion Church was incorporated in 1801 by the name “The African Methodist Episcopal Church in New York. ”Methodist Episcopal” was always in the title to exhibit the retention of the doctrine and form of church government under which the denomination originated. “African” was prefixed to the rest of the title of this church because it was to be controlled by descendants of Africans, in the interest of humanity, regardless of race, color, sex, or condition. Therefore, these people of African descent, with an indubitable pride in their Fatherland and abiding love of kinship, desired to maintain their identity, ancient cultures, and background for posterity. Because another organization came into existence around the same time, with the same title, and so much confusion was brought about, the General Conference of 1848 voted to make “Zion” a part of the denominational name. From that time forward, it was to be known as the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church.

From the very outset the Zion Church has been in the forefront in the battle for full citizenship and freedom in this country. The AME Zion Church encompasses all of the United States, Canada, Caribbean Islands, England, Africa, India, and South America, and it is under the supervision of twelve  elected Bishops. The New York Conference, of which we are a part, is a part of the North Eastern Episcopal Area. This Episcopal Area includes New York, Western New York, New England, and The Bahamas Conferences.