Goodwin Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, African Methodist Episcopal Church in Amherst, Massachusetts.
Goodwin Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church is a church building in Amherst featuring Craftsman design elements such as exposed rafter ends and shingled exterior walls. The structure on Woodside Avenue displays the construction style typical of early 1900s regional architecture.
The church was built when members of Zion Chapel, founded on Amherst College property in 1869, sought to establish their own independent congregation. The group wanted a separate worship space and eventually developed into an autonomous community.
The congregation has shaped community life for generations and serves as a gathering place rooted in shared faith. It reflects the history of Amherst's African American residents and their ongoing spiritual practices.
The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and remains active for community use today. Visitors can attend regular worship services and community events held throughout the year.
In September 2014, Bishop Mildred B. Hines made history here by becoming the first woman elected to a leadership position in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. This moment marked a turning point for this congregation and its wider religious community.
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