Prince Chapel
AME Church
AME Church
Excerpts from the History of Prince Chapel AME Church
In 1900, 12 years before Arizona became a state, the black population of Tucson was recorded as eighty six. African Methodist Episcopal members residing in the city at the time expressed a desire to establish an AME church. Prince Chapel was organized in 1905 in the kitchen of the home of Reverend Ratcliff Hughes, a local Elder. Reverend H.W. Prince was the Presiding Elder and the church was named for him. Services were held in an abandoned building near the Stone Avenue subway.
In 1909, property was purchased at the corner of 17th and Convent where the first church was built, under the pastorate of Reverend Hughes. The cornerstone was laid by Alpha Lodge in 1910 and the church was completed in 1912, under the pastorate of Reverend M. M. Washington.
The current Stone Avenue property was purchased in 1920 for the sum of $5,500.00 during the term of Reverend H.A. Wells. Under the leadership of Reverend F.E. Stephens, the basement of the present structure was completed in 1939. The super-structure was planned by Reverend J.C. Carter and construction was completed in 1941. Dedication to the church took place the same year.
In 1900, 12 years before Arizona became a state, the black population of Tucson was recorded as eighty six. African Methodist Episcopal members residing in the city at the time expressed a desire to establish an AME church. Prince Chapel was organized in 1905 in the kitchen of the home of Reverend Ratcliff Hughes, a local Elder. Reverend H.W. Prince was the Presiding Elder and the church was named for him. Services were held in an abandoned building near the Stone Avenue subway.
In 1909, property was purchased at the corner of 17th and Convent where the first church was built, under the pastorate of Reverend Hughes. The cornerstone was laid by Alpha Lodge in 1910 and the church was completed in 1912, under the pastorate of Reverend M. M. Washington.
The current Stone Avenue property was purchased in 1920 for the sum of $5,500.00 during the term of Reverend H.A. Wells. Under the leadership of Reverend F.E. Stephens, the basement of the present structure was completed in 1939. The super-structure was planned by Reverend J.C. Carter and construction was completed in 1941. Dedication to the church took place the same year.
