A. M. E. ZION CHURCH

OF SHARON, PENNSYLVANIA

Ruth A. M. E. Zion Church of Sharon, Pennsylvania, was organized in 1888 by Rev. P. R. Anderson who was also the pastor that year. The first meetings were held in the homes of the members until a building on Ellsworth Avenue was purchased. About 1898 or 1899 Rev. J. S. Cooper became the pastor. Mr. Cooper was also a carpenter and under his leadership the church building was moved back on the lot and a new building erected. Mr. Cooper did practically all of the carpenter work himself.

As the years passed the building became too small and was unsuitable for the growing congregation. In 1920 a frame building located on the corner of Ohio Street and Sterling Avenue was purchased. While this building was an improvement over the old building on Ellsworth Avenue and suited the congregation for the time being it was by no means the church of their dreams. Plans for the new building were started.

Money was scarce in those days but the loyal members worked hard, saved wherever they could and by 1927 were ready to go ahead with the building of the new church.

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Ruth A. M. E. Zion Church 

Photo taken in 1959

Source: 150 Years of Methodism, The Story of the First Methodist Church, Sharon, PA, compiled by Roscoe C. Wilson, 1959 

Ruth A.M.E. Zion Church

Photo taken in 1999

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