One Township's Yesterdays Chapter LI  

The African M. E. Church

The African Methodist Episcopal Church in Culver was first a mission, then went into the A. M. E. Conference about 1917. The first pastor under the Conference was the Rev. CHARLES BELL, who later went to Bermuda and who died recently (in February) during a charge in Pennsylvania.

The congregation worships in a chapel located in Harding Court, between Lake Shore Drive and Washington Street, in the village of Culver. This is a rather small frame building, with an open bell tower. The site is only a few steps distant from the shore of Lake Maxinkuckee.

The chapel is known officially as Rollins Chapel of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and is a monument to an upright and God-fearing benefactor of his race. The ground for the church edifice was donated by GEORGE ROLLINS, one of the pioneer colored men of Culver, who had property. He came with Colonel FLEET from Mexico, Missouri, when the Colonel joined the elder Mr. Culver in the establishment of Culver Military Academy.

At intervals during the history of this church, resident pastors were located at Culver. Among these was the Rev. A. T. WILLIAMS, who was assigned as pastor in October, 1924. Interest was stimulated when it was then announced that the African M. E. Church would again have a pastor in Culver and the first church services of the year would be held.