Graham Chapel AME Zion Church History

   "I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHICH STRENGTHENS ME" Philippians 4:13 On January 24 1887 Mr. Beverly L. Daniel and his wife S.W. Daniel deeded to the trustees of this church a certain parcel of land for $10.00. It is believed that while there was no known building at the time the land was still used for worship purposes. In the year 1887 the first building was believed to be built and used as a church. It was originally built as a log cabin and then replaced with a wooden building in 1917. The church stood through many historical world events, such as World War I, II, Vietnam War, and other historical events as well as many financial hard times. The country also through the years, suffered much racial tensions and segragation became a way of life.   Many black built churches were bombed, burned, or destroyed in other ways, but God spared such trouble for Graham Chapel. With the dedication of all its members and pastors the church was well maintained over the early years and the doors were kept open so that people of the community would not have to worry that they would never not have a place to worship God. They were able to even finance the construction of a new cinder block building in the early 1940's. In 1974 with members pulling together, pastor John Wesley McKoy's guidance, and of course God's grace, the church was once again rebuilt due to age and detiriation of the cinder block one. On Homecoming Day of that year a "Moving In  Day" celebration was held. Over the years the church has been blessed with a host of pastors that have done a great deal of work for the church, the people of the church, and for God. We have seen our share of ups and downs at Graham Chapel and surely will see more in the future, but this church is one of three churches in the East Arcadia community that offer the much needed refuge to God that every person needs. We invite each and everyone to visit us at least once in your life. Our doors are always open. You may find that our church may have something to offer you in the way of the Lord that you may have not found already.  While hear at our church we hope that a kind word, a simple gesture, a song, the preached word, or a prayer will be the blessing that God intended to be yours on that day!