Portsmouth, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Emanuel A.M.E. Church

By James Thomson, October 11, 2010

1. Emanuel AME Church Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

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 ⛪ series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1772.

Location. 36° 50.288′

By Mike Wintermantel, February 12, 2014

2. Emanuel A.M.E. Church Marker

Click or scan to see
this page online

N, 76° 18.322′ W. Marker is in Portsmouth, Virginia. Marker is at the intersection of Green Street and North Street, on the right when traveling north on Green Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 701 North St, Portsmouth VA 23704, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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. Virginia African American Heritage Program. Virginia Foundation for the Humanities (Submitted on October 12, 2010, by James Thomson of Chesapeake, United States.)

2. Nat Turner's Rebellion - MPT. (Submitted on October 18, 2010, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.)

By James Thomson, October 11, 2010

3. Emanuel AME Church Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 11, 2010, by James Thomson of Chesapeake, United States. This page has been viewed 1,345 times since then and 21 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.