Midtown in Savannah in Chatham County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Saint Phillips Monumental A.M.E. Church

Photographed By Mike Stroud, July 2008

1. Saint Phillips Monumental A.M.E. Church Marker

Inscription. The first African Methodist Church in Georgia was organized by the Rev. A. L. Stanford on June 16, 1865, at Savannah, Georgia and was given the name Saint Phillip African Methodist Episcopal Church. Two months and fifteen days later, the Sunday School had its beginning.

Many great preachers have pastored this historic church. One was Bishop Henry M. Turner, a member of the state legislature during Reconstruction and a leader of the Back-to-Africa movement in Georgia, who pastored this church from 1870 to 1874. A storm demolished the church building in September 1896 and the Odd Fellow`s Hall was secured for worship until the church could be rebuilt. The General Conference meeting in Waycross in 1897 renamed the church St. Phillips Monumental A.M.E. Church. Memorial tablets in the church carry the names and dates of service of all the bishops in Georgia and all pastors serving this congregation since the church`s beginning.

On May 7, 1961, the Church moved from Hall Street to its present location at Jefferson Street and Park Avenue.

Erected 1978 by Georgia Historic Marker. (Marker Number 025-91.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Churches & Religion

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. In addition, it is included in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, and the Georgia Historical Society series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1771.

Location. 32° 3.937′ N, 81° 6.027′ W. Marker is in Savannah, Georgia, in Chatham County. It is in Midtown. Marker is on West Park Avenue near Jefferson Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Savannah GA 31401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. British Evacuation (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Georgia Volunteer (approx. 0.2 miles away); Birthplace of Eighth Air Force (approx. 0.2 miles away); McKelvey-Powell Building (approx. ¼ mile away); Francis Bartow (approx. ¼ mile away); Lawton Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Bynes-Royall Funeral Home (approx. ¼ mile away); Lafayette McLaws (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Savannah.

Saint Phillips Monumental A.M.E. Church and Marker to the far left image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2008

2. Saint Phillips Monumental A.M.E. Church and Marker to the far left

Credits. This page was last revised on February 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 21, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,822 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 21, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Christopher Busta-Peck was the editor who published this page.