There’s been a church at the Park Avenue site of the in Huntington since 1747, first St. John’s Episcopal and then the AME church, which was organized in 1843.
That early congregation moved into a building on the site called The Seminary in 1845, as a historical plaque outside the church notes. Today, 168 years later, the congregation still holds services on the land it bought from St. John’s, in a small church that was built in 1924. Some members relocated for two years and the church building was for sale, but they returned in 2008.
The congregation’s 165 members belong to the oldest African-American church in the town of Huntington, says the Rev. Larry Jennings Sr., their pastor. Booker T. Washington was a member when he lived in Fort Salonga, Jennings said, and he also taught Sunday school there.
Find out what's happening in Huntingtonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
In addition to Sunday services at 10:45 a.m., on Wednesdays there is a prayer service at 6 p.m. and Bible study at 7 p.m., and every other Thursday the church sponsors a food pantry from noon to 2 p.m. About 50 families use the food pantry every other week, Jennings said. It’s largely church supported, he said, under the umbrella of True Ministries, its food pantry agency, with donations from local groceries and businesses.
Those using the food pantry are referred by social service agencies and church members, he said, and complete an enrollment form.
Find out what's happening in Huntingtonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The old burial ground from St. John’s sits off to the left behind the church and is still home to the occasional funeral, Jennings said, and there is room on the church grounds in the rear next to the church's old cemetery for outside worship and play. The parsonage is next door, and an older house that is used for storage sits close to the road, adjacent to the church. Last fall, the church was a stop on a guided walking tour, part of Huntington's African American History Tours.
If you want to see the interior of the sanctuary at a time other than during a worship service, Jennings said the sanctuary can be opened early on a Thursday before the food pantry, or by appointment.
New members are always welcome to join the congregation, Jennings said, and he encourages people to visit and learn more.
Stay tuned for No. 94 next week, same time same place, as Huntington Patch explores the places and activities in town.
