Brief History of Payne Chapel A.M.E Church

When Colorado was still a territory, the very first established Christian Community for persons of color in Colorado Springs was Payne Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1872, four Carter brothers and their families moved to Colorado Springs from Pennsylvania. This family group formed the nucleus from which sprung Payne Chapel, named for Bishop Daniel A. Payne. The first services were held in the home of Mr. & Mrs. I. S. Carter. Through the efforts of J. S. Carter, the land at 128 Pueblo Avenue was donated by General William J. Palmer, President of the Colorado Springs Company and Founder of Colorado Springs. The frame structure was built on this site.

Revs. Hatton and Friston and 12 faithful members were successful in keeping the church open and active. The $6,000.00 stone structure was started in 1889 by Rev. Spotwood Rice. The U.S. Corps of Engineers hewed the stones from the quarry in Bear Creek Canyon at no cost and the stones were then transported by horse and wagon by the members.

Image by Charles Banks

Photo by Mark Reis, The Gazette

In September 1964, Rev. D. C. Coleman, Jr. was assigned to Payne Chapel and through his leadership, 72 units {HUD 221(d)(3)} Rent Supplement Housing Projects were constructed for low-income persons. Namely, Coleman Court Apartments, Payne Chapel Apartments, and Primm Manor. The parsonage at 720 Lake Drive was also purchased.

Under the tenure of Rev. Alvin N. Larkin beginning in 1977, a church van was purchased, the parsonage at 720 Lake Drive was paid in full and a new parsonage was purchased at 3305 Inspiration Drive. On July l, 1986 the current edifice was purchased at 3625 Marion Drive, along with an additional lot at 3624 Uintah Street, for $635,000.00.

In October of 1990, Jesse Brown, Jr., and June Christine were appointed as pastoral family. Under his leadership, Payne Chapel has become a church that walks by faith and is supported only by tithes and offerings. An additional property at 3619 Marion Drive was purchased for future church expansion. In the Fall of 1993, Payne Chapel Housing relocated to 1001 S. Institute in a new building designed to accommodate the business of leasing and housing maintenance supplies for the 72 units (HUD) previously built. Additionally, in December 2004, a 60 unit multi-family affordable housing development (Hillside Pointe Apartments) was opened at 905 Hillside Ridge Point.

SUCCESSION OF PASTORS
1872-1875	Rev. J.W. Braxton
1875-1876	Rev. Hatton *
	Rev. Friston *
1876	Rev. J.F. Curtis *
1877-1881	Rev. Reed
	Rev. Ramsey *
1882-1883	Rev. William Harrell
1884-1885	Rev. R. Jackson
1885	Rev. H.S. Henrie
1885-1886	Rev. J.W.Sounders
1886-1887	Rev. J.F. Curtis
1887-1888	Rev. D.E. Johnson
1888-1890	Rev. James Hubbard
1890-1891	Rev. Spotwood Rice
1891-1894	Rev. T.L. Watson
1894-1895	Rev. S.M. Byrd
1895-1897	Rev. J.P. Watson
1897-1899	Rev. W.W. Deyett
1899-1904	Rev. A.A. Burleigh
1905-1907	Rev. G.M. Tillman
1908-1910	Rev. J.W. Braxton
1911-1913	Rev. C.H. Boons
1914-1915	Rev. D.A. Graham
	Rev. J.L. Williams *
1917-1918	Rev. J.B. St. Felix Isaacs
1918-1922	Rev. A. Wayman Ward
1922-1931	Rev. I.H. Smith
1931-1932	Rev. H.W. Wells
1932-1933	Rev. J.C. Hicks
1933-1934	Rev. R.P. Harbert
1934-1937	Rev. H.B. Burton
1937-1940	Rev. M.C. Knight
1940-1942	Rev. G.W. Reed
1942-1944	Rev. E.D. Chappelle
1944-1947	Rev. A.H. Hamilton
1947-1950	Rev. Harley Akers
1950-1952	Rev. Charles K. Hayes
1952-1953	Rev. A.H. Hamilton
1953-1956	Rev. Harley Akers
1956-1963	Rev. R.J. Paul
1963-1964	Rev. Palmer Ross
1964-1970	Rev. David C. Colman, Jr.
1970-1971	Rev. C.N. Austin
1971-1977	Rev. Lawrence E. Embray
1977-1990	Rev. Alvin N. Larkins
1991-2009	Rev. Jesse Brown, Jr.
2009-2014	Rev. Terry McCray Hill
2014-2019	Rev. Arthur B. Carter, Jr.
2019 - 2023	Rev. Leslie R. White
2023 - Present	Rev. Charles T. Wright