Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Zion

Greetings:

We need your help!

Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, the oldest African-American congregation in Jersey City, NJ, was organized in 1846 by Rev. Timothy Tate.

On a whirlwind tour to rally support for his Poor Peoples’ Campaign in Washington, DC, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. addressed an overflow crowd of about 2,000 at Metropolitan on March 27, 1968. The late State Senator/Mayor Glenn D. Cunningham, stationed at the front door, was the policeman in charge of security detail. Eight days later, on April 4, Dr. King was assassinated in Memphis, TN.

In 1996, the Department of Environmental Protection Natural & Historical Resources Historical Office, Trenton, NJ declared that Metropolitan A.M.E. Zion Church be designated as an historical landmark site.

I was assigned to Metropolitan A.M.E. Zion Church at the end of May 2019, at the NJ conference, under the direction of Presiding Prelate Bishop Proctor. Upon arriving to Metropolitan, I found the church in despair. The church and Price Building needs a new roof, and the walls and ceiling have extensive water damages. The church membership consists of about 75 active members and we are unable to make these repairs, therefore, I am desperately seeking outside help. Additionally, I have reached out to the leadership in the city and people in the community, and I am thankful for the support that we have received.

My desire is to change the condition and lives of those in need. Especially the youth, homeless, elderly and the sick.

The following repairs and support are needed to renovate this historic church. (Please see attached pictures)

We, the members of Metropolitan A.M.E. Zion Church, are not asking for a handout, but a hand up. We understand our mission will not happen overnight, but, with your generous (and may I add, tax deductible) help, we can start to rebuild people’s lives in our community and Metropolitan A.M.E. Zion Church, Jersey City, NJ 07304. Please note that whatever assistance you can give, we are thankful in advance for your help!

Yours in Christ,

Rev. Eli D. Smith, Senior Pastor