The Opening of Graham AME

A Dedication Service was held for the newly remodeled Graham African Methodist Episcopal Church on April 26, 1976. It was a Sunday afternoon. A program had been prepared for the service, which included a history of the church prepared by Diane Hamilton.
An updated version to this history starts: “In the beginning there was a church called Stockhill near Old Town.” The specifics of this Church’s beginning are lost as early chapters of its history are oral ones. However, in 1867 the transfer of two acres in the “Pineland” at the corner of Wappoo Road and Highway 61 was recorded in the Charleston County office of the Register of Mesne Conveyance.
Edward and Harriett H. Frost transferred this land to Jacob Wigfall, Isaac Freeman, Cyrus Geddes, Lewis Crafts, Bristal Graham, David Izard, and John Graham for the purpose of erecting a church and establishing a proper burial ground for its members. On Sept. 26, 1873, the newly built church was legally recorded in Charleston County.
A storm destroyed this church structure and a “Bush Tent” was temporarily established until the congregation could build a new one. The church became part of the Seventh Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church system under the leadership and direction of Mr. Graham. History does not differentiate whether this was Bristal or John Graham. In any event, the congregation named the church for Graham in appreciation.
Initially Graham AME Church was a circuit church. One minister would service several churches in a circuit. Two other churches were in the circuit with the Graham AME: Bethel AME and St. Mary AME. Both churches were located in Red Top, SC. By 1976 the congregation of the Graham AME church had grown to the point that a dedicated minister became critical for their worship.
Reverend J.L. James served as the last “Circuit Minister” for Graham AME Church with Reverend J.E. Washington becoming the first dedicated pastor for the congregation in 1977. The church also produced local ministers who went on to full ministers with their own congregations: Johnny Bennett who served the congregation at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church in Brooklyn, New York and Benjamin Ezekiel Hamilton (Diane’s father) who ministered to the Bethel AME church on James Island.
Graham AME was one of several churches in St. Andrew’s Parish where African-Americans could worship. The list includes: Emmanuel AME on 5th Avenue in Maryville, Christian Baptist on Magnolia Road, Jerusalem RMUE on Magnolia Road, St. Andrew’s Episcopal (known informally as “Chapel”) on Ashley River Road, Springfield Baptist on Highway 61, St. Philip AME on Highway 61, and St. Paul AME on 5th Avenue in Maryville, which was dismantled and no longer in existence.
The congregations also intermingled and assisted each other regardless of denomination. If for some reason a church did not hold a service the members might attend fellowship at another church. The greater community looked out for each other.
The church membership of Graham AME has also been integrated in more recent times and maintains an open door policy for anyone desiring to worship there with the occasional international visitor attending the worship service.
Graham AME Church grew under the leadership of various members to include a Sunday school, recreation building, a facility for the choir, development of both youth and young adult choirs, expansion of the sanctuary and installation of new stained glass windows. Today the Church is very active with the congregation believing: “We Enter to Worship. We Depart to Serve.”
Donna Jacobs is the author of “Byrnes Downs” and “West Ashley” and is continuing to research the modern history of St. Andrew’s Parish, West Ashley. She loves hearing stories about life in the early 20th century from this area. Contact her at westashleybook@gmail.com