A BRIEF HISTORY OF GRANT AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
The African Methodist Episcopal Church first formed a congregation in Toronto in 1833, meeting for worship in each other's homes. The members, freedmen and runaway slaves who had escaped from the United States through the Underground Railroad, first convened at a site on Chestnut Street, then later built a church on Richmond Street, east of York. In 1851, our church took the name of Grant, named after a beloved pastor, Reverend Abraham Grant, who later became a Bishop. In 1856 Grant Church moved to a hall at Queen and McCaul Streets, and on March 10, 1912 celebrated it's grand opening at University and Elm, where the Sick Children's Hospital now stands. In 1929, we moved to 23 Soho Street, which was our home for 63 years. In 1991 we purchased our present church site, at 2029 Gerrard Street East, and proceeded with extensive renovations. Our grand opening worship service was held on March 8, 1992 with 700 people in attendance. We are proud of our church home and enjoy the expanded facilities and conveniences of wheelchair accessibility.
The location of our site has changed over the years but our purpose and traditions have not. Tradition is very important in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1787, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the AME Church was founded by Richard Allen, a former slave who bought his own freedom. The first AME Church was a blacksmith shop, purchased after Richard Allen and other Blacks were interrupted by white church members and told to leave the alter while they were at prayer. The church grew as the people took comfort and found strength in each other, their faith, and their church.
Bishop Richard Allen, viewed the church as a means to uplift the Black race and help them gain their freedom. The AME Church has become a centre of social change, growing in a spirit of dignity and self-help to become a world-wide connectional church with over 3 million members. The AME Church has provided vigorous leadership over the years, and in important instances the history of the AME Church is the history of Blacks in North America. It was the first Black organization to own real estate in America. The first publishing house owned and operated by Blacks was the AME Book Concern established in 1818. Our church was the first to promote, finance and administer a program of higher education. Wilberforce University was established in 1863, and an additional 11 colleges and seminaries along with 10 schools in Africa are maintained by the AME Church. In the 1800's Canadian Blacks could never be part of mainstream society. They were forced to organize their own churches, community organizations, newspapers and schools. Toronto's Black congregations worked together to establish such institutions to form a sense of community. The traditions of the AME Church are Christian endeavour, self-help and self-determination. Grant Church has kept the tradition. Following the A.M.E. Church motto, "God our Father, Christ our Redeemer, Man our Brother', Grant Church has long been an integral and serving member of Toronto's Black Community. Participation in shared worship services and special events with other churches, co-operation with community organizations, and Christian outreach during the depression, were bonds which strengthened the members' belief in their self-sufficiency and powers of self-determination.
Grant has always been a multicultural, multi-ethnic congregation. We have welcomed members from the United States, the West Indies and Africa from our earliest days and have continued to benefit from the dedicated service of our richly varied, inclusive membership. We thank God for the inspired, dedicated pastoral leadership we have had over the years. At Grant, we have worked hard to promote the importance of religious and formal education. Financial assistance has been made available and successes recognized. We are proud of the numerous young people who have completed their education and moved into the professions and other positions of responsibility, and who have become good citizens in society.
Grant Church has always treasured its children. Our young people grow in the knowledge of Christian beliefs, at the same time developing vital leadership skills. The Black Churches may be one of the last institutions providing a personally involved community which nurtures our youth. The Christian church as the Body of Christ, the Mind of Christ, and the People of God is commissioned by God through Jesus Christ to go into all the world and help people to become consciously and thoughtfully aware of the mighty acts of God in the interest of the salvation of man and the world. Our church carries out its mandate through the ministries of worship, evangelism, missions and education.
Today, Grant is pleased to describe itself as a "7 Day a Week Church". Religious education and spiritual growth are achieved through our Men’s Fellowship, and Women's Lifestyles Program, as well as Bible Study and Prayer Groups. Projects of the Elizabeth Hackley Women's Missionary Society are regularly planned carried out and are very important to Grant's membership. The Young People's Division have fed the homeless and visited the elderly. Our Gospel Choir travels spreading God’s word and the Lay Outreach program gives assistance to those in need. Sunday morning service is the highlight of the week when we are inspired by the sermons of Rev. Cory A. Millben. Under the dedicated leadership of Pastor Millben, a spirited preacher the congregation continues to expand.
In 1839 a small band of freed and runaway slaves "petitioned" to be part of a church which satisfied their quest for Christian salvation and gave opportunity to be self-determining, the same spirit of faith and self-determination was present in the founders of Grant A. M. E. Church. One hundred and seventy five years ago our forefathers, all laymen, recognized the need to worship God freely and openly. They sacrificed their time, talents, and finances so they would have a place of worship of their own, and today their dream lives on. Grant A. M. E. Church continues to meet the high standard set down for us by Allen.
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