Carter Chapel AME Church History
In 1866, the first year after the Civil War there was a flat bottom boat that came down the Mighty Mississippi River from Missouri and landed near the place where Helena, Arkansas now covers. The flat bottom boat had a very distinguished man aboard by the name of Reverend Adam Carter, an Elder in good and regular standing in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. He and a few laymen, after prayerful consultation, decided to organize an African Methodist Episcopal Church. Reverend Carter succedded in organizing the FIRST established African Methodist Episcopal Church West of the Mississippi River. This church bears his name , Carter Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church.
The congregation worshiped for a while after the organization of the church under a tent. Later they purchased a site and built the first church on Popular Street. They worshipped there until the church burned in 1880.
Under the Pastorate of Reverend G.E. Thrower the church was rebuilt at the present site 419 Columbia Street, Helena, AR. A church renovation occured in 1915 under the leadership of Reverend W.E. Pruitt and was dedicated in 1918. In 1984 the present structure was built under the watchful eye of then Pastor J.H. Price. To God be the Glory as Carter Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church celebrates 146 years of service to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with our current Pastor, Reverend Deborah Senter.
The congregation worshiped for a while after the organization of the church under a tent. Later they purchased a site and built the first church on Popular Street. They worshipped there until the church burned in 1880.
Under the Pastorate of Reverend G.E. Thrower the church was rebuilt at the present site 419 Columbia Street, Helena, AR. A church renovation occured in 1915 under the leadership of Reverend W.E. Pruitt and was dedicated in 1918. In 1984 the present structure was built under the watchful eye of then Pastor J.H. Price. To God be the Glory as Carter Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church celebrates 146 years of service to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with our current Pastor, Reverend Deborah Senter.