Historic Steward Chapel celebrates 160 years

Rain evaporated off the pavement and a new layer of pollen settled in as sunlight broke through the stained glass windows of Macon’s historic Steward Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church. Community members slid into the church’s wooden pews to celebrate 160 years of worship.

“The lord that I serve — there is no rain down,” Rev. Wanda S. West told church-goers.

West led the anniversary service, joined by pastors from neighboring churches in Byron, Eatonton and Milledgeville. Several musical performances brought folks to their feet, clapping and singing along. 

Founded in 1865 from a congregation of formerly enslaved people, Steward Chapel holds a storied history in Macon. The original church burned to the ground in 1869 and was rebuilt in its current location at 887 Forsyth St, from which its members have witnessed history unfold — from the growth of downtown Macon to the fight for equality during the Civil Rights movement. 

Macon-Bibb County’s executive director of community affairs and school board member the Rev. Henry Ficklin presented West and House Rep. Sanford Bishop with keys to the city. 

Mayor Lester Miller has only given three keys to the city in his four years in office, Ficklin said, calling it the “highest attribute.”

Local leaders attended the service, such as former Macon-Bibb commissioner and Macon Water Authority board member Elaine Lucas and her husband, Georgia House Sen. David Lucas, as well as Georgia House Rep. Anissa Jones.

“Right where you’re sitting could have been one of the places where Dr. King sat when he spoke at this historic church,” said Elaine Lucas, whose family has a long legacy with the church.

Nearly 70 years ago, 600 Maconites filled Steward Chapel’s pews to hear Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. deliver the sermon, “There is No East and No West.”

King, amongst other influential leaders like civil rights educator and minister Benjamin E. Mays and educator and activist Mary McLeod Bethune, once visited Steward Chapel.

In his speech before the congregation, Bishop talked about the foundational pillars of Steward Chapel: purpose, preparation, persistence, principles, patience and prayer. 

“God isn’t that interested in men and women who occupy thrones,” Bishop said. “God is interested in people who have altars.”