✦ THE FREEDOM CHURCH LEGACY ✦
147 Years of Faith & Freedom
From a natural spring to a movement of hope—discover the story that shapes our future.
From a natural spring to a movement of hope—discover the story that shapes our future.
The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church earned the title "Freedom Church" through centuries of commitment to liberation, justice, and equality. Our story begins in 1796 when courageous believers in New York City chose freedom over comfort.
Rather than accept segregated seating and second-class treatment at John Street Methodist Church, leaders like James Varick founded their own congregation where all could worship as equals.
This bold step launched a denomination that would become home to freedom fighters like Harriet Tubman, who never lost a single person on the Underground Railroad, and Frederick Douglass, whose voice changed a nation.
Led 300+ enslaved people to freedom, donated her Auburn, NY property to AME Zion Church
Renowned orator who published "The North Star" while worshipping in AME Zion churches
Powerful preacher advocating for both racial and gender equality
Established churches throughout North Carolina during Reconstruction
In 1877, three visionary leaders purchased land with a natural spring that would give our church its name and our community its foundation.
Where tradition meets tomorrow
On August 15, 1877, three courageous lay leaders—Samuel Williams, Edesell Cuthbertson, and Daniel Tomberlin—purchased two acres of land on Morgan Mill Road that would change Union County forever.
The natural spring flowing on this property wasn't just a water source—it was a symbol. Like the "living water" Christ offers, this spring represented the spiritual refreshment that would flow through generations of believers.
In 1921, our current sanctuary was erected, its cornerstone marking not just a building project but a community's commitment to faith that would endure through decades of change, challenge, and growth.
The natural spring that still flows on our property gave us our name and our identity. Just as this spring has provided fresh water for 147 years, our church has been a source of spiritual refreshment for our community.
From founding to today, every decade brought new growth and deeper roots.
Three leaders purchase land with natural spring
Current brick church constructed
Community ministry expansion
Pastor Christina's leadership begins
Our past isn't just history—it's the foundation for how we serve, welcome, and grow together today.
Our "Freedom Church" heritage drives our commitment to justice, equality, and advocacy for those society overlooks. This isn't just history—it's our calling.
From our earliest days, AME Zion churches prioritized education as freedom's pathway. Today, we continue supporting learning through scholarships and tutoring.
Our founders chose freedom over exclusion. Today, we honor that legacy by creating spaces where different truly meets God—all are welcome here.
Two sacred spaces define our church identity: the natural spring that gave us our name and the hand-hewn arbor where we gather for special worship.
The spring still flows today, just as it did when our founders first saw this land. It reminds us that God's provision is constant, reliable, and refreshing—like the community we've built around it.
Our historic arbor hosts Easter sunrise services, camp meetings, and outdoor worship that connects us to traditional AME Zion practices while creating space for contemporary expressions of faith.
Join us at our historic arbor for this annual tradition connecting past and present.
Discover the stories behind our 1921 sanctuary and cemetery dating to 1877.
Experience traditional AME Zion liturgy and music in our authentic setting.
We don't preserve our history in a museum—we live it forward. Every tradition shapes our tomorrow.
"We stand on the shoulders of giants who chose freedom when it was dangerous, education when it was forbidden, and love when it was revolutionary."— Pastor Christina N. Sellers
That same revolutionary spirit guides us today as we: