Flat Rock African Methodist Episcopal Church
History

The Flat Rock African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church was organized in the year 1866, shortly after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. The original worshippers met in a hush harbor on land that was donated by friends in the community. The church was founded in 1869 and received its name from a flat rock, located about a mile from Penny’s Creek.

On September 5, 1885, the cornerstone was laid for the first structure. The Reverend T. C. Devlin was the pastor. The church had approximately 400 members who worshipped in that sanctuary from 1876 to 1906. The congregation, with the support of the community, was also able to establish a school, which was known as Flat Rock School. In 1906, under the leadership of Rev. J. I. Reynolds, the church built a second structure. There were difficult years resulting from the Great Depression, yet the church was able to serve as a beacon of hope and provide spiritual guidance for its members and the community. The church flourished and ministered to the needs of God’s people using both buildings until 1972. 

There were a host of ministers who served as pastors from 1906 to the 1970s Those included the Reverends Samuel B lden, Benjamin Strother, Williams, White, Burns, J. W. Thomas, J. C. Letman, D. C. Brown, Alfred Vance, and R. H. Hampton. 

In 1972, Rev. Oscar Aiken Klugh was appointed as pastor. Under his leadership, the decision was made to build a new structure. On Sunday, September 21, 1975 services were held in the third Flat Rock AME Church. 

In addition to Rev. Oscar Aiken Klugh, other ministers who served as pastors from 1972 to 2001 were Reverends James F. Pope, Carnell Morton, and Richard C. K. Harkness. 

On December 12, 2001, Rev. Wayman Coleman III was appointed as pastor. His vision was to take ownership of the membership and initiate plans for remodeling the church structure. A mission statement was adopted to help guide the congregation into bringing the vision to fruition: “The Mission of Flat Rock African Methodist Episcopal Church is to grow in membership, care for each member, develop Christian leadership, and give assistance to the community as we are blessed.” The task of remodeling and expanding the church structure dislocated the congregation for nearly a year as worship services were held in Abbeville at the Tomorrow’s Youth Community Center, located at 234 Taylor Town Road from June 26, 2005, until May 28, 2006. The first worship service in the newly remodeled and expanded church was on June 4, 2006. 

In November 2021, Rev. Adam China was appointed as pastor at the Seventh Episcopal District Fall Convocation held in Florence, South Carolina. 

Thanks are to God for the leadership of all who labored in this vineyard.

Seeing what the LORD has done further affirms the faith of the Flat Rock AME Church family and friends as we were, are, and shall be forever “People of God’s Will, Way, and Word – Living Holy, Happy, and Healthy.”