King's Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church

In 1865, shortly after the Civil War, the beginning of what was later to become the King's Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church was organized. In the year 1869, land was purchased for twenty dollars to build the Pendleton Colored Methodist Church.

During the year 1870, Rev. S.H. Jefferson of Edgefield, South Carolina came to, Pendleton as a school teacher and organized the A.M.E. Church by having service in Simon Robinson's house until a permanent place of worship could be found. In 1871, the first A.M.E church was built.

The leading officers of the church were: Miller Washington, Sidney Brit, Allen White, Simon Robinson, James Gantt, Andrew Grate, Reuben Thompson, Jakes Towns, Jerry Parker, George Mays, Robert Swinger, Andrew Singleton, Joseph Young, A.T. Vance, Peter Camernade, Charlie White, Dickie Lindsey, Lymus Green, Phillip Green, Richard Sanders, John Noble, Numer Foster, Abe Milliner, William Washington, Pick Smith, Amos Carter, Richard Smith Sr., Jack Brown and Jonas Caldwell ("J.C.") Coaxum, who served as secretary of the church until 1887. These officers named the church King's Chapel.

Construction on the original King's Chapel sanctuary was started by the Rev. F.Y. Dendy and was completed and dedicated by Rev. W.D. Chappelle.

The following pastors have served the church: Rev. Guyton, Rev. Walls, Rev. S.H. Jefferson, Rev. Denis S. Rice, Rev. David Sinclair, Rev. F.M. Hammett, Rev. George T. Strickland, Rev. James T. Baker, Rev. David Pickett, Rev. A.J. Williams, Rev. R.E. Wall, Rev. B.W. Boone, Rev. L.D. Chavis, Rev. W.D. Chappelle (who was later appointed Presiding Elder of the Manning District and went on to become a Bishop of the A.M.E. Church), Rev. F.Y. Dendy, Rev. W.C. Johnson, Rev. Joe Gowdy, Rev. D.A. Christy, Rev. C.W. Foster, Rev. H.E. Lewis, Rev. I.R. Miller, Rev. Guy Wadsworth, Rev. C.E. Minor, Rev. W.D. Humbert, Rev. C.J. Shaw, Rev. W.M. Sorter. Rev. A.C. East, Rev. W.T. Alexander, Rev. Ford, Rev. G.B. Brown, Rev. K.M. Moore, Rev. Young, Rev. J.B. Smith, Rev. Anderson, Rev. Walker, Rev. Thompson, Rev. George B. Brown, Rev. M.G. Williams, Rev. Moore, Rev. L.C. Butler, Rev. W.L. Pearce, Rev. Castell Jackson (who was pastor when the current sanctuary was built in 1957 and was later appointed Presiding Elder of the Abbeville and Greenville Districts), Rev. James F. Pope, Rev. Harold Hunter, Rev. J.J. Robinson, Rev. Williams (who was appointed Presiding Elder of the Newberry/Spartanburg District), and Rev. Judy Paul Richardson. Rev. Furman M. Miller Jr. was assigned to the pastorate of King's Chapel on December 4, 2004. Since that time, the church has grown and new ministries are being developed to better serve the needs of the community and the church mission.

The Mission of the African Methodist Episcopal Church is to minister to the spiritual, intellectual, physical, emotional and environmental needs of all people by spreading Christ's liberating gospel through word and deed. Each local church of the African Methodist Episcopal Church shall engage in carrying out the spirit of the original Free African Society out of which the A.M.E. Church evolved.

King's Chapel is a growing, liberating, reconciling, and empowering Christian Community dedicated to developing mature disciples of Jesus Christ. It has a tradition of Christian caring, local community advocacy, and connectional involvement. Members are encouraged through Worship and Praise, Study and Development, to discover and use their spiritual gifts, in order to help build the Kingdom of Jesus Christ through witness and work to serve others. After over 135 years of existence, members look forward to the future with the Lord's continued presence and leadership. We pray for continued spiritual growth as a faith community through worship, instruction, fellowship, evangelism, and community service. We believe that because of our faith, wise stewardship, and God's grace, He will bless our continued efforts of Kingdom building in Pendleton, South Carolina, and throughout the world.

We welcome all who visit us! If you are without a church home where you are actively serving and praising God, we humbly encourage you to consider joining us!

Present Ministries

King's Chapel serves the Kingdom and the Community through the following ministries:

The Steward Board

The Trustee Board

The Commission on Stewardship & Finance

The Christian Education Department

The Sunday Church School

The Women's Missionary Department

The Young Peoples Department

The Senior Usher Board

The Senior Choir

The Gospel Choir

The Fellowship Board

The Sons of Allen

The Laymen's Organization

The Stewardess Board

The Jolly Workers

The KC Young Adult Choir

The Pastoral Care Ministry

The Intercessory Prayer Ministry

The Acolyte Corps

The Media Outreach Ministry

The Food/Clothing Ministry

The Praise Dance Troupe

The College Outreach Ministry