Rock Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church

The Rock Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church was founded in 1865, shortly after emancipation, by the Gamble, Levett and Turner families whose descendants continue to worship, fellowship and play an active role in the present church congregation.

The church began as a brush arbor and stood on rock ground on Milstead Avenue in Conyers, Georgia. Appropriately enough, the church was named Rock A.M.E. Church. The land on Bryant Street was donated to the congregation by Washington Jones, and a wooden structure was built. In 1937, the word TEMPLE was added to the church’s name by the pastor Reverend Robert H. Alexander.

In 1958 under the leadership of Reverend Reid, the congregation raised enough money to have a new edifice built. However during his administration, this was not accomplished due to the pastor’s mismanagement of building funds. During this period in the church's struggling history, the congregation was forced to hold worship services in the parsonage which was on the land adjacent to the present building.

Under the guidance of the building committee spearheaded by such leaders as Brothers George L. Davis, Willie Robert Hamm and W. C. Sadler, the congregation again raised enough money to build a church. Thus, it was no surprise in 1964 when the congregation under the leadership of Reverend James H. Clayton and Presiding Elder 0. F. Maddox built and occupied the present edifice. The new building was dedicated by Reverend William Reid Wilkes, Jr in 1965. The cornerstone was laid by Clem Davenport, Grandmaster of the Free and Accepted Masons.

The cornerstone lists officers of the church as follows:

Stewards: James Bailey, Raymond Carr, George Levett, Sr., John Milsap, James Shipp, Isiah Elliott, Grover C. Simmons, Jr., Tommy Mitchell, A. L. Hamm, W.C. Sadler and Willie Turner.

Trustees: Laura Adams, Willie G. Aikens, Eddie J. Aikens, Sr., Alonzo Bailey, R. C. Cornell, George L. Davis, Lester Gilstrap, Clarence Milsap and Willie R. Hamm.

As the years passed, Rock Temple had many pastors. Many of their tenures were for no more than a year. Thus, their accomplishments have been limited.

Among the members of Rock Temple AME Church was Mrs. Laura Adams, one of the first African American teachers at a one room school in the community of Milstead in Rockdale County, GA. Mrs. Adams was the wife of Presiding Elder Charles Adams, mother-in-law of Bishop William Reid Wilkes, Sr, 69^th Presiding Prelate of the AME Church and grandmother of Rock Temple’s 10^th pastor - Reverend William Reid Wilkes, Jr

While Reverend Wallace Jones was pastor, the Wallace Jones Youth Choir was formed. Under Reverend Dr. Harold E. Moore, Sr , the church's educational and activity center - including the kitchen and restrooms on the lower level - was completely renovated and the sanctuary was updated. At this time, Reverend Benjamin Gay was Presiding Elder of the Atlanta East District.

On Monday, February 3, 1997, after only two and one-half years of service, Pastor Moore was called "home" to eternal rest. After his death, the Moore family gave the church the piano which Pastor Moore, an accomplished musician, who had performed at Carnegie Hall with Duke Ellington, used in his preparation for his numerous concerts. Pastor Moore gave of his time and resources to this congregation. He never accepted money for weddings and funerals. He said that he was a "servant of the people." He was always concerned about each member of this congregation and especially his "little ones" (the children of the church).

In March 1997, Dr. Daniel Jacobs, Dean of Turner Seminary at the Interdenominational Theological Center, Atlanta, Georgia, was appointed interim pastor. During this period of transition, Dr. Jacobs provided the congregation with the hope and encouragement needed to continue the ministries of the church.

At the May 1997 annual North Georgia AME church conference in Atlanta, Georgia, Reverend Willie Lee Adams was assigned to the pastorate of Rock Temple AME Church. Under his leadership, many programs were revitalized or initiated. Among which were: Summer Youth summer Friday night activity, Scholarship Fund, College Financial Aid Workshops led by Dr. Katherine Brice and Children’s Church under the leadership of Sis. Geri Simmons. The enrollment of Children’s Church increased from an average of six children per Sunday to more than 20 on any given Sunday. A new organ was purchased, the interior of the sanctuary was painted, a church office was built and the heating and air conditioning system was updated. Reverend Willie Lee Adams led the congregation until May 2000. In 1998, Reverend Dr. Earle H. Ifill was appointed Presiding Elder of the Atlanta East District which includes Rock Temple AME Church.

In May 2000, Reverend Dr. John Foster (Ph.D) received his appointment as pastor of Rock Temple A.M.E. Church. During his tenure, Pastor Foster initiated community outreach programs including: Jail Ministry, door-to-door ministry and nursing home visitations. He spearheaded the congregation’s early “pay-off” of heating/air-conditioning system and encouraged other purchases, such as, new carpet for the sanctuary, an electric piano and a church van , paved and remarked the parking lot. Reverend Foster and his wife personally paid for and installed the AME Mural to the choir loft, the sanctuary window coverings and the lighted cross on the church steeple. During this time, Dr. Foster was Vice President of Information Science at Morehouse College. He was responsible for setting up the computer Lab with computer workstations, a printer and the Internet. A memorial wall honoring deceased members who labored in the service of Rock Temple was installed in Lower Level of the church during his tenure. Pastor Foster labored long in the church and gave back much financially to Rock Temple. He was instrumental in getting the youth involved in numerous programs of the church. His wife, Mary Ann Foster taught Children’s Church during his administration.

At the May 2004 SED Planning Meeting, Reverend Henry A. S. Borbor was appointed pastor of Rock Temple A.M.E. Church. During his short tenure, he had a radio ministry and continued the Prison Ministry organized under the leadership of Reverend Foster. He held workshops on church policy and was a regular weekly visitor to the homes, hospitals and nursing homes of members and their relatives. Reverend Borbor made his presence known in the city of Conyers among church congregations, Conyers City and Rockdale County Officials.

On May 27, 2005, at the SED Planning Meeting in Albany, GA, Reverend Henry Andrews was appointed pastor of Rock Temple A.M.E. Church. Pastor Andrews carried on the programs of previous pastors. Reverend Andrews died on December 1, 2007.

After Pastor’s Andrews death, Presiding Elder Ifill served as Pastor of Rock Temple from December 2007 until July 19, 2008. Under his leadership, the membership roll of the church was updated and confirmed. The Class Leader system was reactivated with the nine (9) stewards serving as class leaders. Among the services instituted were: a Advent candlelight service on the Sunday prior to Christmas, a February Loyalty Sunday service, an Ash Wednesday Service (marking each member with a mark of the cross in ashes), a Maundy Service with communion and dinner and fellowship prior to the service and Lenten Folders for members special offering for Easter Sunday .

During this time the Young People’s Department (YPD) became active in the church and on the district under the leadership of Wilma Dennis. The AME church is a Connectional Church so all organizations are supposed to be active on the district not just in the local church. Rosalyn Johnson became Director of Christian Education and involved the membership in activities (Sunday School and Vacation Bible School) of the local church and the district, the Dance Team was directed by Lenora Kendall and her daughters.

Reverend Gabriel Hardeman, a pastor of Rock Temple, later became a Presiding Elder on the West District of the Atlanta North Georgia Conference in the late 1990s. Dr. George L. Champion, Sr. (1969-1970) now deceased was a 2004 & 2008 candidate for Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and is a retired General Officer of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The following former pastors currently hold positions in the African Methodist Church on the local and Episcopal level: Reverend Thomas E. Bess (1980-1981) is on the Judicial Committee of the AME Church; Reverend Dr. John Foster (2000-2004), pastor of Big Bethel AME Church, Atlanta, GA is a Computer Specialist and an accountant for the Sixth Episcopal District at the office in Dekalb County, GA. Reverend Dr. Daniel Jacobs (interim pastor 1997 for 4 months) was a former Dean of the Turner Seminary at ITC, Atlanta, GA

It is said that an institution of this kind is but the lengthened shadow of one individual. Rock Temple has proved to be the lengthened shadow of many faithful consecrated men and women who have loved it, worked for it and prayed for it throughout the years of its existence.

Submitted by Geraldine Simmons

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