Excerpts from the History of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church

The CME Church was organized December 16, 1870 in Jackson, Tennessee by forty-one delegates from eight Colored Annual Conferences of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.  This conference to establish a new church had been authorized by the General Conference of the M.E. Church, South, meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1866 in response to the expressed desires and wishes of is African American constituents to have their own separate and independent organization.  Having devoted the previous day to prayer, the delegates chose a name for their new church, and, together with the organizational structure and ordination requirements of American Methodism, adopted the Articles of Religion.  With the election of two bishops, William H. Miles and Richard H. Vanderhorst, and the doctrines and polity of the new church firmly established, a new branch of Methodism was born among the followers of John Wesley and in the Church of Jesus Christ.  Fully independent, yet amicable in ecumenical relations, the C.M.E. Church went forth to preach good news, teach divine truth and heal the brokenness of life by the power of God in our Risen Savior.

 The evangelistic fervor and missionary zeal of our early fathers and mothers and succeeding generation expanded the denomination from the Southeast to the Northwest, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and from the Caribbean to West Africa.    Overcoming the racism that has plagued African Americans from the moment of their forced importation to America has been an essential part of our Mission.  C.M.E. preachers and churches have been at the forefront of the civil rights movement.  Education has ever been a strong denominational priority, extending from the efforts of our first generation pioneers to develop and educated clergy and meet the challenge of widespread illiteracy to the passionate desire of succeeding generations to provide opportunities for higher education for those for whom such opportunities were limited.  Our church has been a major participant in the ecumenical movement in local communities, the nation and the world.

 Through the years our church has been sensitive to the spirit of changing times.  Although founded and continued as a predominantly African American Church, it was at no time exclusively so.  Membership in our church has always been open to any person “desiring to flee from the wrath to come.”  In 1954, a resolution was approved by the General Conference stating: “Aware of the inconsistency of having a racial designation in the name of our church…and without implying our disloyalty to, or disrespect for, the founding fathers…we recommend that…proper steps be taken to change the name of our church from Colored Methodist Episcopal to Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.”

Our Name

 Christian – Follower of Jesus Christ (Acts 11:26; 26:28;  I Peter 1:16).  One who belongs to Christ.  Christians commit themselves to Christ and become increasingly like Him.  They trust Jesus Christ to guide their decisions, actions, and attitudes.  The name apparently was first used by pagans to ridicule Jesus’ followers, but it became a label Christians wear proudly. When others look at  your life, do they see you as a follower of Christ?  How?  If not, why not?  Do you wear Christ’s name with pride? 

Methodist – Our church is a member of the family of Methodist Churches.  We believe in the plain and simple gospel and on orderly system of rules and regulations.

Episcopal – Episcopal refers to the form of government which operate our church.  In the Episcopal form of government the Bishop is the chief executive and administrative officer.  The Bishops are elected by the General Conference.

Church – This is a visible Church of Christ, consisting of faithful persons, in which the pure Word of God is preached and the Sacraments duly administered.

                                      

The CME Church is a Religious Corporation

The Complete Address of the Corporation's Principal Office is:

44 Elvis Presley Blvd., Suite 222

Memphis, Tennessee  38116

 Divisions of Higher Education of the CME Church

 The several colleges and the theological school under the auspices of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church are institutions designed to provide opportunity for higher education for all members throughout the CME Connection.  Accordingly, they shall receive support and maintenance from the entire CME Church.  These colleges are:

1. Lane College – Jackson, Tennessee
2. Paine College – Augusta, Georgia
3. Texas College – Tyler, Texas
4. Miles College – Birmingham, Alabama
5. Phillips School of Theology which is a part of the Interdenominational Theological Center – Atlanta, Georgia