‘It’s unbelievable the miracles that happen when we trust in the Lord’

On Nov. 6, a small gathering assembled at 207 Main Street in Goshen, the site of the African Union Methodist Presbyterian Church, to commemorate a plaque designating the church’s listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

The day was particularly joyful since the paperwork to solicit the honor was submitted in 2009, and now, with the help of Goshen Village Historian Edward Connor, the job was finally completed in 2021. It was time for a celebration.

“This is a great day,” said long-time parishioner Mary Sumter. “It’s so wonderful. When I saw the plaque, I was in tears. People have worked so tirelessly to get this process done.”

The Olivet Chapel, 1903

Built in 1903 by the First Presbyterian Church in Goshen, St. John’s African Union Methodist Presbyterian Church was originally named Olivet Chapel. (The original name, Olivet Chapel is inscribed on the plaque). It was erected as a mission church to reach out to the community, remaining just that until 1965 when the AUMP church purchased the chapel from the First Presbyterian Church.

Mother Mary, as congregants call Mary Sumter, remembers exuberant parishioners marching down the street from the two-story house that was serving as a church — which has since been torn down - to their new church.

‘And we’re still here’

By 1971 the congregation had paid off the mortgage, thanks to several families who mortgaged their own homes to buy the building. And then the church building was all theirs.

“The historic plaque is an acknowledgement of the church,” said Mary’s daughter, Marcia Terrell, from Chester. “We’ve been here a long time, and people have made some sacrifices to ensure the building could be maintained. And we’re still here.”

Community support

Terrell recalls coming to the church as a child. “My family’s history was part of this church before I was even born. My grandparents, Gladys and Harold Sumter on my father’s side, were members and they helped to pay the mortgage, as did Mr. and Mrs. O. Tuck. It was so popular I remember the church being packed, with chairs in the aisle.”

“This is not just a beautiful building, but the beauty of it is having people come here to worship,” said Sumter, who has attended the church for 60 years.

Through the years, Mother Mary has sung in the choir, served as secretary/treasurer, and now serves as local missionary, always striving to increase membership.

‘An honor’

“It’s an honor to be here,” Connor, the village historian, said. “I’m so glad we managed to get the plaque for the church. I put in the paperwork and they accepted it. This is definitely an honor.”

Since the late 1990s, it was evident that the church building was ailing and needed upgrading and repairs. Many residents, which included Boy Scout Troop 63 and BOCES students in The Including Communities Program as well as business-owners volunteers stepped forward and accomplished so much, like installing a new roof and heating system, freshening the basement with new molding and paint, upgrading the kitchen, installing French drains to eliminate flooding and clearing the backyard of brush, making room for a meditation garden.

The AUMP church now stands tall, restored, proud — certainly ready for the honor of being placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior.

“It’s a beautiful thing everyone has done to help out,” said Pastor Brazley Young, noting many in the Village of Goshen and worshipers taking time to help, working together.

“People just stop by to help,” said a pleased Mother Mary. “It’s unbelievable the miracles that happen when we trust in the Lord.”