Written by the late Mrs. Katharine McNair
The Mount Hermon African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church of Fort Lauderdale has a rich and glorious history as a proud member of the oldest predominantly Black denomination in the United States. Founded in 1906, Mount Hermon is the oldest A.M.E. church and the second oldest Black church in the Fort Lauderdale area. With a humble beginning, Mount Hermon started as a small group of worshippers in the township of Fort Lauderdale who would gather on Sundays to hold religious services outdoors under a tree. A few of the worshippers from this group purchased property from the Dallas Land Company on April 25, 1906. The founders of this Zion named it “Mount Hermon African Methodist Episcopal Church.” They were led by the Reverends W. A. Woods and George Smith, Annie T. Reed, Mamie McGill and I.H. Williams.
The first known edifice was secured at 309 Northwest Nugent (Third) Avenue, with the Reverend J.H. Haines as the first appointed pastor. Some of the early stewards of the church included Arthur Black, O.J. Clark, Mamie McGill, I.H. Williams, and S.J. Williams. Early trustees included T.S. Cobb, Tollie Primus, Mamie Sistrunk and Isaiah Snelling. Reverend L.A. Forbes served as pastor from 1918 to 1919. During the 1920s, however, the Mount Hermon congregation would be duly served by a host of ministers including the Reverends A.W. Brown, G.W. Bonaparte, J. Benjamin Blacknell, Sr., Fred Hall, J. W. Dames, W.R. Akery, M. Peter Chappell and D.A. Russell.
In 1926, a violent storm destroyed the church on Third Avenue, forcing the congregation to relocate to their property on Fourth Street. A temporary building was erected. By 1930, a permanent building and the construction of a parsonage were completed under the pastorate of Reverend D.A. Russell. An annex was added to the main sanctuary under the leadership of Reverend George Collins, who was later consecrated Bishop in the A.M.E. Church. Mount Hermon would continue to grow In 1966, Reverend J.B. Blacknell, Jr. was appointed by Bishop E.C. Hatcher to serve as pastor. Reverend Blacknell developed the Calendar Club initiative as a means to raise funds for monthly mortgage payments. In addition to the mortgage payments, the success of the calendar clubs also provided resources for the renovation and refurnishing of the church parsonage.
In 1973, Reverend McCoy Ransom was appointed to Mount Hermon. His vision was that Mount Hermon would become a debt-free church. Under his outstanding leadership, the church was able to pay off its debt before the scheduled date. After Reverend Ransom’s tenure, the Reverends J. Richard Campbell and George M. Champion faithfully served Mount Hermon as pastor, followed by Reverend George L. Champion.
Reverend Lewis A. Myers, Jr. was appointed to Mount Hermon in January 1984. He was a dynamic pastor with good administrative skills and a vision of the membership becoming more committed to Christ. Reverend Myers chose Reverend Alvin Jones as the first assistant pastor at Mount Hermon. During Reverend Myers’ tenure, several ministries and initiatives were established : the wheelchair ministry, visitation to the juvenile detention center, on-site tutorial assistance for children, a clothing bank, consistent food basket drives for the needy, organization of a credit union by forming a church-wide savings club and the procurement of two church vans.
Reverend Michael Cousin served as pastor of Mount Hermon from 1992-2001. To date, he was the youngest minister to be appointed pastor of Mount Hermon. One of the highlights of Reverend Cousin’s charge was the unique perspective he brought to celebrating Black History Month. Each Sunday in February focused on significant historical events in the life of the A.M.E. Church and of African Americans. Highlights of this month-long celebration continue to include Greek Unity Sunday and Caribbean Sunday. Reverend Cousin instituted the organization of the Singles Ministry, which later became the Young Adult Ministry. He also expanded the Fall Festival, a Christian alternative to Halloween. Food, rides, entertainment and safety exhibits were all provided free of charge to the youth of Mt. Hermon and the community.
In October 2001, Reverend Dr. John Frank White, Sr. was appointed to Mount Hermon. During Reverend White’s leadership many ministries and initiatives were launched, including the formation of the Mount Hermon Development Corporation, Youth Summer Camp, Faith in Action Step Ministry, RHEMA Rap Ministry, Sons of Allen Men’s Intergenerational Prayer Breakfast, Liturgical Dance Ministry, “Give A Thought to Africa”, and the hiring of a full-time Associate Pastor, Reverend Dallasteen J. Yates. Under his leadership, the vision to build the Mount Hermon Family Life Center was brought to fruition in 2008. In July of that same year, Reverend Dr. John F. White, Sr. was elected the 130th Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
On November 22, 2008, Bishop McKinley Young appointed Reverend Michael K. Bouie as pastor. Under Pastor Bouie’s tenure, the congregation was led in the redesigning of our Narthex (foyer), added worship monitors to our sanctuary, and upgraded media equipment. He also inspired the growth of our Young Adult population witnessed by the formation of the Rejuvenation Choir. The completion of the construction phase and formal Dedicatory Service of our Community Family Life Center was held on Saturday, March 14, 2009 – signaling a ‘new’ era of mission and ministry!
Bishop McKinley Young appointed the Reverend Willie J. Cook, Sr., to the historic Mount Hermon African Methodist Episcopal Church on November 21, 2009. Rev. Cook was a spiritual, compassionate, and nurturing leader who exemplified love, peace, and unity. He instituted the first “I Love Mount Hermon Day”, as part of our Founder’s Day and Black History Month celebration and our first HBCU Day recognizing our Historically Black Colleges & Universities. Rev. Cook also established the first Men of Valor Community Achievers Breakfast, enhanced the Rosa Parks Day Celebration, implemented an ecumenical Feeding and Clothing Program, and established a Wednesday noon day Bible Study. Rev. Cook also established the Mt. Hermon AME Historical Museum on July 29, 2012.
Bishop Adam Jefferson Richardson appointed the Reverend Henry Elmore Green, Jr. to Mount Hermon African Methodist Episcopal Church on October 11, 2013. Reverend Green is a Pastor to “All Generations.” His genuine love shown towards all people reached all levels. Pastor Green is a man of passion, commitment, and leadership. He encouraged members to be good stewards of their time, talent, and treasures and led congregants to be more giving in all areas. Pastor Green implemented a daily prayer line and provided a badly needed additional room to the Historical Museum.
On September 11, 2016, Rev. Green held a dedication on the Historical Marker in front of the church. The marker was the first among churches given by the Broward County Library. This marker tells a brief reflection of the church and its ties to our community. The church is a part of “Destination Sistrunk”, a tour of historic sites along the Sistrunk Corridor. In fact, Dr. James Sistrunk was a past trustee board member of Mt. Hermon. On May 7, 2016, Rev. Green hosted the famous Tuskegee Airmen (Miami Chapter) with a banquet, commemorating the May 7, 1945 final mission of the 332nd Fighter Group. Rev. Green also dedicated the church’s newsletter, “The Bugle” on June 18, 2017.
Pastor Green is active in the community and was recognized by Legacy Magazine as one of the top 50 Business Leaders in Broward County. Rev. Green also spearheaded a prayer vigil for the kidnapped girls in Nigeria. In addition, he initiated and hosted an interfaith, non-denominational memorial service in honor of the victims of the Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in 2018. Pastor Green is a powerful preacher/teacher of God’s Word and inspires everyone who listens to live and love as the Lord teaches. He often says, “The best is not behind us, the best is in front of us. For with Jesus, the best is yet to come.”
Before becoming Presiding Elder of the Celebrated Central District, Rev. Green initiated the liquidation of the Family Life Center by partnering with HTG Management to build a senior living facility on Mt. Hermon’s south parking lot. The facility is presently under construction and prayerfully will be completed and occupied within a year of this week’s 118th celebration.
On March 27, 2022, an Investiture Service was held, installing Rev. Henry E. Green, III, Pastor Trae, as Mt. Hermon’s 33rd pastor. Appointed by Bishop Frank Madison Reid, Pastor Trae is an experienced, visionary leader who will continue and exceed Mt. Hermon’s greatness for the foreseeable feature under the guiding hand of Jesus Christ.
It was faith that motivated Reverend Woods, Annie T. Reed, Mamie McGill and others to start Mount Hermon, the first African Methodist Episcopal Church in Fort Lauderdale. It was faith that helped the members rebuild their church after the fateful storm of 1926. It was faith that allowed Mount Hermon to press on during the era of “Jim Crow” segregation and dehumanization. It is faith that sustains our great Zion today and that propels us into a faith-filled future.
It is by faith that we continue to promote the vision of our church:
“Building Community through Worship, Fellowship and the Word.”
Be the first to comment