HISTORY OF THE
CHRISTIAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
(By The Board of Christian Education)

This history of the Christian Methodist Episcopal (C.M.E.) Church is one of saving grace, sensitive steps, and social concern. Our origins were profoundly born through 41 ex-slave men who “walked by faith and not by sight” on December 16, 1870 in Jackson, Tennessee. Their coming together gave birth to the Colored Episcopal Methodist Church of America. In gratitude and determination, they came before the General Conference of the Methodist Church-South (who had already split with the Methodist Episcopal Church-North over pro-slavery and anti-slavery conflicts) requesting the permission to form a denomination of their own in 1866. The request was honored and Liberty Church came into existence in Jackson, Tennessee. This church is affectionately known as Mother Liberty.

Surprisingly and suspiciously by others, the C.M.E. Church was able to keep peace and harmony with the former masters from the Methodist Church-South. This kindred relationship produced charitable support and assistance in establishing church properties and educational facilities.

With distinct devotion and powerful leadership of our first four bishops (Bishop William H. Miles of Kentucky, Bishop Richard H. Vanderhorst of South Carolina, Bishop Joseph A. Beebe of North Carolina, and Bishop Lucius H. Holsey of Georgia) we have developed and nurtured a might connectional body in Christ Jesus.

The spiritual and educational motivation of our fore parents gave pride in the establishing of six colleges:

• Lane College of Jackson Tennessee was founded in 1882 by Bishop Isaac Lane
• Paine College of Augusta, Georgia was founded in 1882 by Bishop Lucius H. Holsey
• Texas College of Tyler, Texas was founded in 1894 by a group of ministers
• Mississippi Industrial College of Holly Spring, Mississippi (closed) was led by Bishop Elias Cottrell
• Miles College of Birmingham, Alabama was founded in 1907
• Phillips School of Theology (named after Bishop Charles H. Phillips) began at Lane College in 1944 and later became an affiliate with the International Theological Center (ITC) of Atlanta, Georgia.

The Christian Index is the official communication means of the C.M.E. Church. It was fist completed in October 1886. It has grown considerably through the years, as it continues to address today’s issues, updates of the church activities, reminders of the historical events, and giving words of encouragement of the body of Christ.

The name change from COLORED METHODIST EPISCOPAL to CHRISTIAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL took place at the 1954 General Conference. The resolution recognized the global views and changes as well as the harmony of the Christian faith. The College of Bishops in Detroit, Michigan officially ratified it on January 19, 1956. We have grown tremendously from eight small Annual Conferences to ten Episcopal Districts made up of forty-two Annual Conferences, including Jamaica, Haiti, Africa and Alaska.

There is so much more to say about the goodness and the richness of God’s blessings upon our church. This is only a small glimpse. It is up to you to take this seed and to broaden your knowledge and grow in faith.

HISTORY OF THE
CHRISTIAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL LOGO

The official logo or symbol of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church was originally authorized by Bishop B. Julian Smith for the Centennial General Conference held in Memphis, 1970. It was officially adopted by the General Conference in 1974 as the denomination's connectional marker.

Designed by Will E. Chambers, the logo shows the place of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in the rapidly changing urbanized society and its relation to God's people.

The logo is composed of:

The World Globe which represents the vineyard of God.

The Skyline which stands for the Church's concern for human and urban problems and people's alienation from God and one another

The Weather Vane which symbolizes the need of the Church to be flexible in terms of meeting the contemporary needs of people and

The Cross which denotes, by its vertical bar, the need for a proper relationship between people and God, and by its horizontal bar, the need for properrelationships between people. The total Cross is a sign of the final-assured victory through the blood of Jesus Christ.