First African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church (1834) Paterson, NJ

First African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church holds the distinction of being the oldest Black church in Paterson and Passaic County, New Jersey.  Founded in 1834, the church reported to the New York Annual Conference in 1835 that it had 22 members and that the Reverend William Serrington was the pastor in charge.  Located on the north side of Godwin Street, the church was initially known as the Godwin Street A.M.E. Zion Church.

A great revival, coupled with the failure of the Bethel A.M.E. Church in Paterson, resulted in 105 converted souls being added to the rolls of the Godwin Street Church in 1889. The Reverend Martin Luther Blalock led the congregation in the building of a new edifice to accommodate the growth.  In 1911, the Reverend C.C. Williams led the congregation in the purchase of the present site. The edifice and parsonage were completed in 1924 under the leadership of Reverend J.A.S. Cole. Succeeding Reverend Benjamin C. Robeson (1926-1936), Reverend James Clair Taylor officially changed the name of the church to First A.M.E. Zion Church in 1945. A conflict during the pastorate of Reverend Frank Roberts in 1949 resulted in a separation and the founding of the New A.M.E. Zion Church. Reverend Dr. Douglas L. Maven was appointed pastor in June 1991, following a succession of 10 pastors after the division.

(SOURCE: FIRST AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL ZION CHURCH)