Saint Luke African Methodist Espiscopal Church
Waco, McLennan County, Texas
Marker Inscription
According to oral tradition, this congregation began in 1886 as an evening sunday school which met on Elm Street. The Rev. Charlie Gipson served as first pastor. A church building was constructed in 1906, during the pastorate of the Rev. L.M. Holmes, and the congregation has worshiped at the current site since about 1920. Early Pastor E.J. Howard was elected Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1936. Over the years, St. Luke A.M.E. church has provided a significant source of service and leadership to Waco's black community.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
By tradition St. Luke A.M.E. began in 1886 as an evening Sunday school meeting on Elm Street in Waco, led by its first pastor, the Rev. Charlie Gipson. The congregation built its first church in 1906 and settled at its present site around 1920. One early pastor, E. J. Howard, went on to be elected a bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1936, a mark of the congregation's reach.
Why it matters
As an anchor institution of Waco's Black community across generations, St. Luke reflects the central role African Methodist Episcopal churches played in Black religious life, leadership, and mutual support after emancipation.
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Related people
- · Rev. Charlie Gipson
- · Rev. L. M. Holmes
- · Bishop E. J. Howard
Themes & tags
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