About Us

OUR CHURCH

Embry A.M.E. Church

 

A History of Faith

 

The Embry African Methodist Episcopal Church, since its founding, has been called by God to do mighty works for His kingdom with a vision to build ministries after God’s own heart, declaring the Good News of Jesus Christ and ministering

to those in need.

 

In October 1903, realizing the importance of fellowship and praising God, Brother Samuel Stewart and his wife, Sister Georgiana Stewart, opened the doors of their home to their friends and neighbors in the Lakeland community.  After several months of services in the Stewart home, members of this worship community petitioned A.M.E. Bishop James Crawford Embry on the matter of establishing a church in the Lakeland community.  With the approval of the Episcopacy, the church was organized under the direction of Rev. A.C. Hunter.  The new A.M.E. church was named Embry African Methodist Episcopal Church in honor of Bishop James C. Embry.

 

The first church building was constructed in 1905 in the lower part of Lakeland on Navahoe Street.  In 1918, Embry A.M.E. Church moved to its present location on Lakeland Road, and in 1920, a new church building was constructed on this site.  By 1922, the church was paid for, and the mortgage burned.

 

Over the next sixty years, under the pastoral charge of many dedicated and esteemed ministers, Embry became a beacon, an anchor, and a spiritual nurturer for the families of Lakeland.  Over the years, many organizations were established, including the Missionary Society, the Stewardess Board, the Usher Board and the Junior Choir.  During this time, the Parish Hall and the Pastor’s study were added, and restrooms and a new roof were installed.  These pioneering members of Embry built a church community that epitomized Christian love and the strength and value of the church body. In recent years, the Embry membership has practiced sound stewardship and supported several renovations to the interior and exterior of the church.  The church continues to plan renovations and improvements to support the ever-expanding needs of the church mission; We are building to the glory and honor of God.

 

Embry advances its evangelical outreach by live-streaming Sunday worship services on several social media platforms. Embry’s work resonates with the resilience and faith of our founding ancestors.  In 2020 as the world responded to the COVID-19 pandemic, the physical doors of the church closed.  But the Embry membership understood that we are the church; worship quickly expanded to a virtual platform, tithes, and offerings to support the church’s work continued, and the community’s needs were met in unprecedented situations.