Grant History

GRANT MEMORIAL

AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH

4017 SOUTH DREXEL BOULEVARD - CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

PHONE (773) 285-5819 FAX (773) 285-8150

EMAIL grantmame@ameritech.net

The Rev. Dr. Mickarl D. Thomas, Sr., Senior Pastor

The Rev. Thomas Hughes, Presiding Elder

The Rt. Rev. John R. Bryant, Presiding Prelate

& Senior Bishop of the AME Church

Grant History

GRANT MEMORIAL AME CHURCH HISTORY

Grant Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in September 1914 by the Rev. T.L. Scott at 4639 S. State Street in Chicago , after he and several members withdrew from the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church. Later the church moved to Transfer Hall at 47th and State Street , where they remained for five years.

In September 1919, Grant purchased property at 4600 S. Evans for $20,000.00. In 1922, Bishop L.J. Coppin appointed the Rev. Robert Thomas, Sr. as pastor and in 1927, the Rev. William H. Griffin was appointed pastor by Bishop A.L. Gaines. At that time, the property had been partially razed in preparation for remodeling the church building. The congregation worshipped at Shiloh Adventist Church during remodeling.

During the lean years of the 1930’s Depression, Grant’s members worked and sacrificed to rebuild at a cost of $40,000.00; with many improvements. Finally, the indebtedness was liquidated, and a mortgage burning ceremony was held on May 25, 1943. Grant progressed and became the leading church in the Chicago Annual Conference. In April 1947, Rev. Griffin passed from labor to his reward.

In October 1947, the Rev. Harvey E. Walden was appointed pastor by Bishop John A. Gregg. This new and dynamic leader gave vision and impetus to the church for a greater challenge. Plans were made to renovate and remodel the building and facilities. Improvements valued at $23,000.00 were completed. On September 4, 1949, the Corner Stone Laying and Dedication ceremonies were conducted. Grant was host to the 67th Chicago Annual Conference also during that month. In November 1949, greater plans were being formulated as part of the expansion program in the Fourth Episcopal District. Rev. Walden and officers considered the purchase of properties at 4013-21 S. Drexel Boulevard . This purchase came to fruition when on May 7, 1950, Grant moved a little higher to the magnificent edifice where it now worships. In May of 1952, Grant served as host of the General Conference, which was a very special honor.

In 1953, the Cornerstone Laying Services were held for the church at 4017 S. Drexel Boulevard . In record-breaking time of approximately 41 months, the Mortgage Burning Ceremony was held on August 8, 1954. In 1955, Grant served as the host to the Chicago Annual Conference. Other Connectional meetings were held there, including the Bishop’s Council, The General Board of the A.M.E. Church and the Fourth Episcopal District Meetings.

Grant hosted sessions of the Chicago Annual Conference in September 1967 and 1971. Several parcels of land were donated to the church. The historic 4-manual Skinner Organ was reconditioned and other building improvements were accomplished.

On Easter Sunday, April 15, 1961, the Cornerstone Laying Ceremonies of the Harvey E. Walden Community Center were conducted. Bishop Joseph Gomez and the North Star Lodge No. 1 conducted the services. Each week the work progressed. Brick by brick, wall to wall, ground to roof -- a building, which was much more than blueprints and contracts, a building, truly dedicated and consecrated to God’s work, emerged.

Sunday, May 6, 1962, the Open House Celebration of the Harvey E. Walden Community Center was the crowning glory of a job well done. A dream of a dreamer, the vision of a man of God, the Walden Center serves as a beacon light in the community providing facilities and needed community services. A day care program was instituted in 1977, utilizing the center and has continued to the present time. During the school term of 1971-72, the community center was used as a campus for Kennedy-King College .

Grant continued to maintain its status in the Connectional Church and made substantial contributions to the projects and programs, including overseas missions. Rev. Harvey Walden pastored Grant Memorial for over 30 years and during his tenure, served as Chairman of the Episcopal Committee.

On January 31, 1978, an era in the history of Grant Memorial and African Methodism came to a close. Rev. Harvey Everette (affectionately called "Everlasting") Walden went home to live with his God, having served the church with great dedication and with a deep and abiding faith. HE LOVED THE CHURCH.

On Sunday, March 5, 1978, Bishop Hubert N. Robinson appointed the dynamic Dr. Roy L. Miller as the fifth pastor of Grant Memorial A.M.E. Church . Rev. Miller came with an energetic leadership, a spiritual vigor, and sympathetic understanding for a people who needed to be revived. Men’s and Women’s Day was re-instituted and the Advent and Lenten observances were expanded. Grant participated in the A.M.E. Radio Ministry through the broadcast of the previous Sunday worship services.

The church and community center were overflowing with activities and participation from head-starters to the Golden Agers. The kitchen area of the church was remodeled and approval was received from the city of Chicago to create a food distribution center to benefit the indigent and needy of the church and community. From this initiative, the Women’s Missionary Society formed OPERATION PULL (People United for Loving the Living), a ministry for the homeless, spearheaded by Mrs. Evelyn Miller. It is in its 26th continuous year of operation.

In 1981, a four-bedroom house located at 8156 S. Champlain Avenue , Chicago was purchased to serve as a parsonage for the pastor and his family. The parsonage also provided accommodations for a guest minister; and had facilities for entertainment and meetings of church groups. On November 15, 1981, a dedication ceremony of the parsonage was held and on May 23, 1982, the pastor and his family took occupancy of the parsonage.

During the early part of 1982, the Kitchen Committee completed the work necessary to relocate the kitchen and redecorate the dining area of the church, which opened for service on April 14, 1982. The three-story gray-stone next door to the church was also rehabilitated and fully occupied. A crossway was built on the second floor level to connect the church and the community center, in the winter of 1982-83. The pastor’s office and secretary’s office were also relocated. During 1983, additional improvements were made to both the church and the community center; and the redecoration of the sanctuary was completed.

Grant continued to meet its obligations to our conference and to respond to the needs of the community and its congregation. Planning committees were organized and were busy at work to host the 101st Session of the Chicago Annual Conference in September 1983.

In 1985, plans were made to purchase an electronic chair lift, to accommodate the elderly and provide the disabled with easier access to the sanctuary. Installation was completed in 1986.

The Rev. Dr. Wilfred Reid was appointed the sixth pastor by Bishop Hubert N. Robinson on December 9, 1985. Along with a Christian Spirit, he brought to Grant the vast knowledge of rebuilding a community. One of Dr. Reid’s first endeavors was to organize the Committee for Housing and Economic Development, which was incorporated in 1986. This committee launched a massive redevelopment initiative which included; apartment rehabilitation as well as, the construction of senior citizen housing, at a cost of more than 4.6 million dollars. Through the committee’s efforts, Grant received funding from the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the construction of an 80-unit apartment building for senior living. This facility was named GRANT VILLAGE and is located on Drexel Boulevard , one block south of the church. The apartment rehabilitation component of the project completed the restoration of four apartment buildings in the immediate area. These units provide housing for over 70 families.

In April 1987, Dr. Reid presented a proposal to build a choir loft behind the pulpit, thus reconstructing the altar and pulpit several feet forward near the center of the auditorium. Later, an audio room was added to the sanctuary. This action implemented Grant’s Tape Ministry, allowing the sick & shut-in members to enjoy worship services and the tapes were used for a Christian radio broadcast. Additional extensive renovations took place; including covering of the seats and laying of new carpeting in the sanctuary.

The congregation celebrated its 73rd Anniversary on May 23, 1987. Grant hosted the 105th Session of the Chicago Annual Conference, September 1987, which marked the Bi-centennial year of the A.M.E. Church . Carillon Chimes were installed, and serve as a memorial to the late Mrs. Ora Fobbs, who proposed and funded the project. Every soul in the community is beckoned to Grant from the beautiful chimes that ring out daily.

The South Side Family Chamber Orchestra has operated from Grant for over twenty years. The members provide instruments and give free instrumental and voice lessons to underprivileged youth.

The Grant Beacon Newsletter was created to publish news of interest from the church at all levels. The Saturday School Tutorial Program was developed, in partnership with Grant’s mentoring program and the Chicago Public Schools, for the children of the church and community to help raise IOWA test scores. This program also offered field trips, holiday celebrations and many other community services for children.

The Wilfred Reid Urban Ministry was developed; its focus is to take an evangelistic walk through the neighborhood and minister to the surrounding church community. The Bi-Annual Community Health Fair is part of the Health and Wellness Ministry of the Women’s Missionary Society.

The Bus Ministry was established to provide transportation for the elderly and disabled who could not otherwise attend services and other programs. The Prison Ministry became active, providing services in response to the needs of inmates in the Cook County Jail. Other organizations were formed including the Loretta Reid Courtesy Club, the Altar Guild, the Video and Audio Ministry and the Minnie Mack Nurses Guild.

In September of 1999, Grant hosted the 117th Session of the Chicago Annual Conference and Women’s Missionary Convention. Grant has become an influential force in the ecumenical life of the immediate area, sharing in the responsibility of hosting worship services with five neighboring churches on Thanksgiving Day, New Year’s Eve and during Lenten Season.

In January 2000, the Rev. Dr. Mickarl D. Thomas, Sr., was appointed pastor of Grant Memorial A.M.E. Church by Bishop Robert Thomas, Jr. He is the seventh pastor to be appointed to our great Zion . Pastor Thomas acknowledges Grant Church’s rich history and brings, to our church, spiritual vitality partnered with contemporary leadership. His motto is: “Rebuilding Reclaiming and Rededicating.”

Pastor Thomas’ overall vision is to completely restore Grant to its epoch period by refurbishing the physical plant, restore the church membership to its 1,500-seat capacity, restore affordable housing to the community and create a first-class kindergarten and primary grade school. The Pastor’s vision includes plans to expand and develop more outreach ministries in the church and to provide better support to our church-sponsored institutions of higher learning.

Pastor Thomas introduced a more contemporary approach to the worship service, designed to meet the spiritual needs of the church’s multi-generational congregation. Enrichment training and leadership seminars were instituted, for the ministerial staff, officers and members, to enhance their knowledge and understanding of various church ministries and duties. The Evangelism team re-grouped to reach out to the community with evangelistic walks presenting the message of Jesus Christ with printed tracts. The Afro-centric Book Club meets monthly to inform readers of our culture. Insightful books are discussed for our reading enjoyment.

As a Christian visionary, Pastor Thomas realizes the monumental importance of youth to the A.M.E. Church and encourages their spiritual, moral and educational development. His support inspired the Children of Praise Choir to be the “first ever” A.M.E. Church Youth Choir in the Chicago Conference to record a CD and to go on tour to Houston , TX . The D.A.S.H. Team (Drill And Stepper Heralds) and a new choir called GAME MVP (Melodious Voices of Praise) were formed.

Rev. Thomas has taken a “hands on” approach to leadership; providing personalized manual labor for restoration projects, teaching a weekly Bible Study Class, giving Sunday School Lesson reviews, and grilling food for various church events. Numerous music concerts, seminars, dramatic presentations, health fairs, sporting events, Back-to-School fests and other activities receive tremendous and consistent pastoral support. Additionally, Pastor Thomas is the Chairperson of the Grant Housing and Economic Development Committee and has served as the President of the AME Ministerial Alliance of Chicago and Vicinity and as a member of the Advisory Board of Michael Reese Hospital.

Grant Church was selected to host the Chicago Annual Conference in 2001. This event motivated the members of the church to make more improvements. Several renovation projects took place, targeting the ladies restroom on the first level, the Robert Thomas Chapel, the kitchen and the complete remodeling of the men’s restroom. In 2004, Grant began yet another phase of the renovation of its major renovation project, which targeted the restoration of the Romanesque columns and scrolls of the main auditorium. Painstaking efforts were made to restore the wood work of the entry and front lobby doors, as well as interior wall wood work, to its original beauty. New tile flooring was laid and beautiful crystal chandeliers were added to the front lobby ceiling to create the perfect touch of elegance for which Grant has become synonymous. Sanctuary repairs, rebuilding of a new concrete front porch, steps and side patios mark the end of the third phase of the restoration process.

The Walden Community Center has provided childcare services for over 30 years. These services are now offered through the Grant Creative Learning Center (formerly Grant Day Care). Major improvements have taken place in the community center which includes installation of air conditioning units in all class rooms and a state-of-the-art computer lab.

The church has a multi-page, interactive website at www.grantmame.org. This is emblematic of the strides made to bring Grant Memorial AME Church into the new technological millennium. Grant was one of the first of the churches in the AME connection to create a website and have email capability. The website contains a church history, information on outreach programs, organizations, pictures, current events, email links as well as the church newsletter. In 2006, Grant was the first AME Church to have an online Trustee Election. Grant has an in-house publishing capability for bulletins, funeral programs, newsletters, ad books and other materials.

A wealth of members, too numerous to mention, have made invaluable contributions to Grant Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Church. Without all of them, we would not have been able to worship and fellowship for 94 years. We look to the future, proudly standing on the legacy of our predecessors, embracing a new mission of “Rebuilding, Reclaiming and Rededicating.” God has blessed us in our endeavors and has brought us thus far by FAITH.

PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW!