Our History

Morris Brown A.M.E. Church was founded in the era following the American Civil War. The congregation came into being because of the rapid growth of Emanuel A.M.E. Church, the first church reestablished in Charleston following the Civil War by Bishop Daniel Alexander Payne. The Reverend Richard Harvey Cain, who was then pastor of Emanuel, purchased the property where the church now stands at 13 Morris Street from a Lutheran Congregation in 1867 and became the first pastor of the new congregation.

Morris BrownThe Church is named for Morris Brown, the pastor of the first A.M.E. congregation established in Charleston in 1818. That congregation was forced "underground" in 1822 when one of its local clergy, Denmark Vesey, was executed for planning an abortive slave rebellion. Brown fled for his life to Philadelphia, and became the second Bishop of the A.M.E. Church. The "underground" church continued to meet until it was officially revived by Bishop Payne as Emanuel A.M.E. Church in 1865.

The congregation experienced rapid growth under Reverend Cain's leadership, growing to become a two thousand member church in its first year of existence. Reverend Cain proved to be a leader in religious and civic circles. Cain opened a seminary institute in Liberty Hall, a former meeting place for soldiers located toward the reat of the church property. Cain went on to be a reconstruction era State Senator and U.S. Representative, and was elected the 14th Bishop of the A.M.E. Church in 1880. He was also one of the founders of all-black town of Lincolnville, South Carolina.

The Reverend Benjamin F. Porter another former pastor, initiated missionary and repatriation efforts in Africa in the 1870's through his organization, the Liberian Exodus Association. During his tenure as pastor, Morris Brown was the scene for rallies encouraging immigration to Africa to promote commerce and Christianity. In 1878, Reverend Porter's organization, in cooperation with black Baptists in the City of Charleston, dispatched a ship to Liberia with over two hundred settlers. By 1890, at least three Liberian congregations had developed as a result of these initiatives. Families rooted in Morris Brown also distinguished themselves in the governmental, judiciary, and religious life of Liberia. During the 1970's many of their descendants returned to Morris Brown to trace their American roots.

During the turn of the century pastoral tenure of the Reverend Lewis Ruffin Nichols (father of Bishop Decatur Ward Nichols), the membership increased to approximately 3,000. During Dr. Rip Isaiah Lemon's pastoral tenure, the church was renovated and a new organ was installed. During the pastoral tenure of the Reverend Jasper C. Quarles, the church was brick veneered. During the pastoral tenure of now Bishop Zedekiah L. Grady, the Z.L. Grady Educational Building was added to the church and the Emanuel-Morris Brown-Ebenezer Apartments were completed on Johns Island. During the pastoral tenure of the Reverend James G. Blake, the church underwent a $2.1 million restoration.

Other former pastors of Morris Brown include the Reverends Moses B. Salter, Theophilus G. Steward, Samuel Washington, J.E. Haynes, Bruce Williams, J.W. McQueen, D.L. Lytes, Sandy Simmons, Greatheart, J.W. Murph, J.L. Benbow, J.W. Witherspoon, L.L. Farmer, Benjamin J. Glover, J.E. Beard, Jonathan J. Baker, and Allen W. Parrott. The Reverend Joseph A. Darby, Board Chairman of the South Carolina Coalition of Black Church Leaders and First Vice-President of the South Carolina Conference of Branches of the NAACP, was assigned to the pastorate of Morris Brown on December 5, 1998. Since that time, the membership of the church has increased and new ministries to better serve the present needs of the community have been established.
About Morris Brown AME Church

Morris Brown AME Church was established in 1866 by the Reverend Richard Harvey Cain because of overcrowding at Emanuel AME Church.

Today, Morris Brown is the largest congregation of the Seventh Episcopal District of the AME Church.
Serving the Present Age

Morris Brown has a tradition of Christian caring, community advocacy and action, and connectional involvement. The 3,000 member congregation is the largest in the Seventh Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and is the first church of the Palmetto Annual Conference and the Mount Pleasant District. Many active and retired clergy of the Episcopal District are members of Morris Brown, including the Reverend Alonzo Middleton, current Presiding Elder of the Mount Pleasant District and the Right Reverend Zedekiah L. Grady, Presiding Bishop of the First Episcopal District of the AME Church. Dr. Kay Middleton Brown, who grew up in Morris Brown, served as President of the Connectional Lay Organization of the A.M.E. Chruch.

In 1914, Morris Brown was one of the first African-American churches in South Carolina to operate a Senior Citizen's Home. In 1969, Morris Brown was the headquarters for the Reverend Ralph D. Abernathy and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference during a strike by the service workers of Charleston's hospitals. Ministries of the church include a day care center, an HIV/AIDS ministry, tutorial services, a seniors program, a young adult program and counseling services.

The membership of Morris Brown has traditionally been diverse, including the humble and the notable in Charleston's African-American community. Many members of the congregation have served in public office, including the Honorable James E. Clyburn, the first South Carolinian elected chairman of the United States Congressional Black Caucus and Mrs. Marjorie Amos-Frasier, the first African-American woman to serve on the South Carolina Public Service Commission.

The Altar at Morris BrownMorris Brown AME Church continues to build on the tradition of its founders in service to the present age. The church offers a wide spectrum of ministries geared to reach the entire community. The church sponsors a Child Development Center, co-sponsors an apartment complex for those of modest means, and sponsors a community development corporation. The church is also a key supporter of the Reid House of Christian Service and an active voice of advocacy in the Charleston area.

The past two years have brought an expansion of activities in the church family to emphasize Christianity as a joyous way of life and not just a Sunday affair. Midday Bible Study has been added for those who work downtown and for seniors who are wary of venturing out at night. A monthly "Book Brunch" allows members and guests to gather for food and discussion of contemporary literature. Monthly Spiritual Enrichment Seminars allow time for learning and fellowship. The newly Combined Choir, Gospel Choir, Young Adult Choir, J.A. Darby Mass Choir, Male Chorus, Youth Choir, Sunbeam Choir, Praise Dance Troupe and instrumental ensemble enhance worship in joyful ways. Many new ministries have been established, which include programs for nutrition, tutorial and mentoring outreach services, and an AIDS/HIV ministry and adult computer classes.

We encourage you to visit Morris Brown and to consider membership if you're seeking a church home. You'll find a caring congregation that cherishes its traditions, but is also committed to contemporary Christian witness.