Olde Towne in Portsmouth, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Emanuel A.M.E. Church
Photographed By James Thomson, October 11, 2010
1. Emanuel AME Church Marker
Emanuel A.M.E. Church is rooted in the African Methodist Society that was formed soon after the founding in 1772 of the Methodist Society in Portsmouth. The African Society met independently until Nat Turner's insurrection in 1831, worshiped with white Methodists for three years, then met under white supervision until 1864. The members occupied a Methodist church on Glasgow Street until the building burned in 1856. Slaves and free blacks provided most of the funds and labor to construct the North Street Methodist Church in 1857. In 1871, the congregation adopted the name Emanuel ("God with us") and become part of the African Methodist Episcopal movement.
Erected 1999 by Commonwealth of Virginia. (Marker Number Q 8-t.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Churches & Religion • Colonial Era. In addition, it is included in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1772.
Location. 36° 50.288′ N, 76° 18.322′ W. Marker is in Portsmouth, Virginia. It is in Olde Towne. Marker is at the intersection of Green Street
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Ruth Brown (here, next to this marker); Matilda Sissieretta Joyner Jones (here, next to this marker); Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Lincolnsville (within shouting distance of this marker); Birthplace of Dr. James W. Holley III (within shouting distance of this marker); Richard Dale, U.S.N. (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); St. John's Church (about 600 feet away); John Luke Porter (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Portsmouth.
Regarding Emanuel A.M.E. Church. Said to be a stop in the Underground Railroad
Note the subtle difference in wording between the marker and the plaque on the building.
Also see . . .
1. Emanuel AME Church. Church website homepage (Submitted on September 22, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Nat Turner's Rebellion. PBS website entry (Submitted on October 18, 2010, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.)
Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, February 12, 2014
2. Emanuel A.M.E. Church Marker
Photographed By James Thomson, October 11, 2010
3. Emanuel AME Church Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 11, 2010, by James Thomson of Chesapeake, United States. This page has been viewed 1,604 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 11, 2010, by James Thomson of Chesapeake, United States. 2. submitted on February 14, 2014, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 3. submitted on October 11, 2010, by James Thomson of Chesapeake, United States. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
