Started in a tent July 26, 1896.Founders: John Sewell, J.W. Arnold, Mr and Mrs. E.H. Padgett, R.E. Padgett, Mrs. Rosa Padgett, C.H. Height, J.H. Cashwell, Mrs. M.M. Cashwell, James M. Strange, J.J. Dykes, R. and W.H. Edwards.

According to Kathy Alonso and Lydia Clark administrative staff: There were 17 other churches that sprang up as a result of this church: Gladeview Baptist, Miami Springs Baptist, Miami Shores Baptist, Allapattah Baptist, Shenandoah Baptist and Stanton Memorial Baptist, to name a few.

Pastor's Blakeley comments: "First of all, I am thankful to the Lord. He has been faithful to downtown Miami in the last 100 years. The church has been able to make its contribution for the Kingdom of God. We have been able to reach many people. I am excited about what God is doing and expect to do in the future through our multi cultural/multi congregational group. Presently, we are involved in ministry downtown: AIDS patients, International students, the homeless and the Port of Miami Federal Detention Center. We're happy to be working with Trinity International University which meets on our premises. We're looking forward to doing more to further God's Kingdom."

GREATER BETHEL A.M.E. CHURCH, located at 245 N.W. 8th Street. John E. White, Pastor.

Started March 12, 1896 in the home of A.C. Lightburn. Organized under Elder L.T.W. Long and the Reverend N.W. Evans. Greater Bethel had several stages of development. First Little Bethel on what was 10th Street and Avenue H, where now stands a Jewish Synagogue. Little Bethel was moved on a wagon to its present location, where during the administration of Reverend W.G. Fields a bigger Bethel blossomed. Reverend White's comments: " I see this church as being the downtown center for change, broad enough to be inclusive of all people. A refuge for social ills and problems facing our community. A holistic approach to ministry, multi-dimensional, not just spirit. We are in the process of addressing those needs through single family housing, AIDS awareness, after school tutorial programs, Parenting skills and Narcotic Anonymous."

Founded by Reverend T.M. Trammel, assisted by Reverend R.T. Hinton and J.H. Wanamaker. First prayer meeting held in then Brown's Restaurant under the leadership of Mr. and Mrs. John Jones and Mr. Jim Brown. Later a "bush arbor" was built on a site on Cherry Street (later named Flagler Street).

Eventually moved to a tent shelter for worship services and remained there until Mr. Reilly and Mr. McDonald donated a church building at Avenue G and Cherry Street( N.W. 2nd Avenue and Flagler Street).By 1898 the congregation was ready to move to its present location.

Pastor Ross comments: "Our history is significant. It is the history of a people who came here for a job opportunity and became a significant part in the development of a new city, called the magic city. A people who felt they needed to have a place of worship as they developed a home and a city. Such was the African Americans who found Mount Zion. This church is committed to having a religious faith presence in Overtown. Our vision is to light a spiritual torch on this corner that will serve as a beacon of hope, redemption, regeneration and restoration in this community and will be as it were, a light that will never go out."

Started in a tent April, 1896.Founders: Missionary Reverend Henry Keigwin, along with George D. Turner, Edward Aldrich, William March and E.J. Godfrey gathered at Julia Tuttle Restaurant. Later John MacGonigle provided a live-in tent for Keigwin and his daughter and a separate tent for worship. A pavilion was built with a cement floor improvement as a permanent place of worship.

In October of 1896 Reverend Levi L. Fisher held the first meeting on a houseboat on the Miami River. November 15, 1896 the Methodist Episcopal Church of Miami was founded. Reverend Bolton discouraged by so few members abandoned his attempts to organize. Reverend E.V. Blackman was assigned to the new Miami congregation. In 1897 Reverend C. Fred Blackburn reorganized the Methodist Episcopal Church south and later on March 28, 1898, Trinity Episcopal south and White Temple north were united and formed First United Methodist Church of Miami.

Riverside Episcopal sprang up from Trinity Episcopal.

Pastor Kowalski comments: "It has been a very exciting year. Former pastors have come back to lead the worship service on the second Sunday. In the midst a most exciting ministry lies ahead. We attempt to remember the past and use that as we catapult into the 21st century looking for new ways to do ministry and remaining committed to stay in the downtown area."

The church began in the Mariah Brown House, April 27, 1896. Founders: J.H. Butler and 12 other members who withdrew from the newly organized St. Agnes Church. The population of Coconut Grove at the time was 300.

Other churches that have come about: Macedonia Missionary Church and Greater Bethel A.M.E.

Historian Esther Ambrister comments: "l00 years have passed since the genesis of St. Paul A.M.E. Church in 1896.We celebrate 100 years of community service. Under the various pastorates the church has maintained an active and viable presence in the community: Organization of a Boy Scout Troop, feeding the homeless, evangelism and voter registration.

We give thanks to our forefathers for the past, celebrate the present and anticipate greater service to God in the future. To God be the Glory."

Formed on the porch of Julia Tuttle's house. Oldest congregation in Miami. Assembled in 1893, organized in 1896 by Julia Tuttle and Bishop William Crane Gray. Known as the Church of the Holy Cheesecloth.

The church began as a mixed congregation of Union Chapel and Plymouth Church in 1891.In 1895 they split off and Reverend S.A. Sampson and 56 members organized the first church

in the home of Ms. Edith Albury. It was called the 56th Baptist Church. A gentleman by the name of Count Jean D'Hedouville donated the land on Thomas Avenue to erect the church. It was called St. Agnes. In 1903 the church was moved from Thomas Avenue to Charles Avenue. On May 25, 1922, the name was changed to Macedonia Baptist Church. The location changed July of 1948 to the present site and was incorporated in 1976.

Plymouth still remains today. From the 56th Baptist Church sprang up Christ Episcopal Church and St. Paul A.M.E. and The Georgia Church which became St. Mary Missionary Baptist Church of Coconut Grove. St. James Missionary Baptist Church sprang up from Macedonia.

Pastor Daniels comments: "God has smiled on Macedonia for these 100 years. As I observe the enthusiasm of the members, their zealous quest for Christian leadership overwhelm me with excitement. We've come a long way, traveling over rough and rocky roads to get to this point in time. We celebrate and salute pioneers who no doubt put the Master of the earth and heaven in

front. We must inspire and encourage those coming after us to do the same."

As this brief spiritual history of Miami Churches come to a close, may the words of Reverend C. Fred Blackburn be a light of encouragement to not only the Trumpeter and its readers but to all who persist in harvesting the field. The task God has given you is getting done.