The Denominational Leadership Health Initiative

Brief History of AMEZ Church

Dr. Barbara L. Shaw, International President, Women’s Home and Overseas Missionary Society
The Women's Home and Overseas Missionary Society (W.H.&O.M.S) of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church is the oldest and largest organization of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. The birth of the W.H.&O.M.S. occurred in 1880 at the Old Ship AME Zion Church in Montgomery, Alabama for the purpose of integrating AME Zion Church women in mission ministry. More than 125 years later, with a membership of 1,000,000, the W.H.&O.M.S. is involved in the diverse cultures of West, Central and South Africa, England, India, Guyana, the Caribbean Islands, as well as the continental United States.

The WH&OMS continues to promote growth in the knowledge and understanding of God and His plan of redemption for the world; teach the concepts of Christian missions and provide experiences for participation in mission work and its ministries; exemplify the principles of Christian living and to win others to Christ; promote the cause of World Evangelism; and serve as a financial support system to undergird the world mission outreach of the AME Zion church at home and overseas. In August 2003, Dr. Barbara Louise Shaw was elected the 16th International President of the Women's Home and Overseas Missionary Society of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. In this position, Dr. Shaw presides over the religious lives of women on five continents.

Senior Bishop
George W. C. Walker, Sr.

The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church was officially formed in 1821. The church can be traced back to the John Street Methodist Church of New York City. Following acts of overt discrimination (such as black parishioners being forced to leave worship), many black Christians left to form their own churches. The first church founded by the AME Zion Church was built in 1800 and was named Zion. These early churches were still part of the Methodist Episcopal Church, although the congregations remained separate.

Devoted to religious, educational and social causes, the AME Zion Church and its members have been instrumental in many of the freedom struggles of this nation, dating back to the days when former slaves Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth and Harriet Tubman led the first wave of Black social activism. With its denominational headquarters located in Charlotte, NC, the AME Zion Church consists of 12 Episcopal districts with an extensive membership in the United States, Africa, the Caribbean, Europe and India.

For more information on the History of the AME Zion Church, Click http://www.amez.org/