About the Church
- Hood Temple African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Zion Church was initially called Zion Mission, founded by the late Omonus I. Walden in 1910. Many people migrated from the South and were looking for our Zion. They joined hands with this God-fearing man and organized the Zion Mission.
- Among the charter members of Zion Mission were: Brothers Alex Wilson, Link Alston, William Long, J. C. Ramsey, B. J. McClellan, John Ivory, C.C. Knight, Sisters Sadie Long, Mary and Lizzie Turner, Jessie McClough, Irene Story, Belle Brown, Miniie Steward and Julia Bass. For three years under the pastoral care of Reverend (Rev.) O. J. Jenkins, this faithful band worshipped together. They first worshipped in the True Reformers Hall on 2nd Street and later in the Samaritan Hall at 6th and Duval Streets.
- On January 4, 1913, Zion Mission moved to what was known as the "Little Leigh Street Church" located near 1st and Leigh Streets. Later in the year of 1913, Bishop G. L. Blackwell appointed Rev. J. C. Stevenson as Pastor. With an influx of persons of the Methodist peruasion from neighboring states, the membership grew and prospered under the leadership of Rev. Stevenson.
- In 1917, the Rev. P. R. Flack was appointed as Pastor. With the aid of Rev. Jenkins, an option was secured on the present property. In 1918, the church was renamed Hood Temple A.M.E. Zion Church after Bishop James Walker Hood, who established the first A.M.E. Zion Church in the South.
- The church was originally built as the City Street Methodist Church (all white members) by Albert West, a notable Richmond Architect. It was an Italianate style structure erected in 1854, and later given a fashionable Gothic front. It remains a local landmark in the Jackson Ward Historic District in Richmond, Virginia. The church remains affiliated with the A.M.E. Zion Church, which is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina.
- Past and current distinguished and notable pastors are:
- Rev. O. J. Jenkins, 1910-1913
- Rev. J. C. Stevenson, 1913-1917
- Rev. P. R. Flack, 1917-1921
- Rev. M. F. Gregory, 1921-1924
- Dr. G. W. Gaines, 1924-1934
- Dr. E. B. Watson, 1934-1940
- Dr. J. E. Kennedy, 1940-1943
- Dr. C. W. Turns, 1943-1956
- The Rev. Still Pryor Perry, 1956-1962
- The Rev. Dr. John Oliver Hart, 1962-1978
- The Rev. Stephen Gill Spotswood, 1978-1993
- The Rev. Dr. Kevin Warren McGill, Senior, 1993-2011
- The Rev. Dr. Edmund Horace Whitley, Senior, 2011-2013
- The Rev. Dr. Tony Henderson, 2013-2017
- The Rev. Dr. Rebecca Branch-Griffin (First Female Pastor of the Church), 2017-2020
- The Rev. Dr. Lorenza Ricardo Meekins, 2020-2024
- The Rev. Joshua Holmes, 2024-Present
Our Vision
"Win Souls for Christ" (Acts 1:8)
Mission Statement
"To Make, Mark and Mature Disciples!!!" (Matthew 28:19-20)
Reach Our Goals by Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations
- Radical Hospitality (Romans 15:7)
- Passionate Worship (Psalm 100:4)
- Intentional Faith Development (2 Timothy 2:15)
- Risk Taking Mission and Service (Matthew 25:37-40)
- Extravagant Generosity (2 Corinthians 9:11) (*Robert Schnase)
Published in Richmond Planet on January 11, 1919
Thurgood Marshall Hosts Meeting at Hood Temple AME Zion Church in 1951
