The story unfolds of a determined and God-fearing people who in November 1886, with limited resources, organized Sidney Park Colored Methodist Episcopal Church. Having only faith that God would provide a building where they could come together and worship their built this church. And so, they became witnesses of what God can do through hope and faith. The mandate of the early church to remain in the world, but not of the world, was the means for involvement of Sidney Park Christian Methodist Church in the affairs of the times.

This was the year earthquake tremors shook Charleston, S.C, but ramblings of a different kind were shaking the foundation of Bethel AME Church in Columbia, South Carolina. Confusion and disagreement led some 600 people to withdraw their membership; however, those 600 were determined to continue serving God in an orderly fashion. They first worshipped at Stenhouse Hall (now known as the Oliver Gospel Mission); however the earthquake damaged the Stenhouse Hall, and the worshippers were forced to seek other locations to conduct services. The inability to remain settled in any one building did not lessen the faith of the people.

In November 1886, Sidney Park Church was organized and founded through much praying and fasting among the members who held on to their determination to find a permanent place to worship. The name Sidney Park was derived from the park located where the main post office now stands. The park was a resort, a recreational place of beauty with fish ponds, flowers and animals. Though organized, but without a permanent place of worship, the congregation of 600 members felt they were like sheep without a shepherd. Dr. O.A. Darby, president of the Columbia Female College, along with the assistance of the Reverend S.B. Williams and others, sought the congregation’s admission into the Colored Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church of America. The congregation assembled in Stenhouse Hall and was formally received in the CME Conference by Bishop L.H. Holsey of Augusta, Georgia.

The congregation began to plan for the erection of a church building. A parcel of land located on the corner of Blanding and Assembly Streets, owned by William B. Stanley, was found. Stanley agreed to sell the land for a cash sum of one thousand dollars. Those spirited Christians raised the asking price and on February 28, 1887, the trustees of Sidney Park CME “paid in hand” the sum of one thousand dollars to William B. Stanley for the land as shown on the original deed. Having purchased the land, the church was built with free labor and contributions from the membership from March 1887 until December 1889. City officials in Columbia expressed their pride in the members of Sidney Park and preparations were made for the church’s dedicatory service. An article in the newspaper summed up the mood at that time: “...but the membership of the church, out of limited means and by a bounding liberality, did all that they could do.” These strong men and women, through foresight and faith, purchased a beautiful lot and erected the large and stately building which is dedicated to the worship of God today. The sacrifices and resolutions of the congregation deserve the highest praise. The devotion and energy of the Rev. Samuel B. Wallace and the Rev R.S. Williams, who was transferred from the Virginia Conference and took charge of the congregation on December 10, 1887, cannot be understated. Rev. Williams’ reputation as an excellent worker in the management of church affairs has been verified by his labors in the city. Under his leadership, the present magnificent building was completed and beautified at a cost of $15,700. It may be called a great struggle brought to a noble end. As the members looked back and remembered the many struggles, they recalled all those who helped them: Bishop W.W. Duncan; Dr. O.A. Darby; Dr. W.D. Kirkland; Rev. W.S. Monteith; Bishop L. Holsey; Dr. H. Baer; V.C. Dibble; John A. Elkins; Rev. W.R. Richardson, and Judge Samuel W. Melton.

While working so industriously in material affairs, the congregation was not idle spiritually and more than doubled in size. The congregation numbered no less than 1,800 with 1,000 baptized communicants. There was a flourishing Sunday School with over 500 pupils, capable officers and teachers as well as a day school, which indicated its concerns for its members and the community both from a spiritual and educational viewpoint. The dedication services of December 22, 1889 were what some would call the end of a struggle, a dream come true, no more troubles, and a time to move forward. But that was not to be. Fire struck Sidney Park CME Church between 1890 and 1892, heavily damaging the structure. The story is told that on the night of the fire, flames could be seen leaping into the sky from miles away. So people came to see, and the children began to sing a song that went like this: “Come on boys, let’s go to town. Sidney Park Church is burning down!” Old Sister Bull, jumped and yelled, “Oh, my Lord, please save the bell!” The cornerstone of the church states that Sidney Park Christian Methodist Episcopal Church took years to rebuild. Faith and hope have kept the church growing and its members strong.

As we celebrate our 135th Anniversary, we see the glorious efforts of the past. It is with the same fierce spirit of hope and faith that our ancestors possessed, that our church continues to reach new milestones. Under the leadership of Rev. Edward Moultrie, Sr., attention was focused on both physical improvement as well as feeding the spiritually hungry for the preached word. Over thirty ministries were organized to better serve the congregation and community and God blessed us to provide a “Noon Day” Worship Service each Wednesday. The growth of Sidney Park can be seen in other church endeavors. The first female, Rev. Jacqueline Brown, was elected chairperson of the Steward Board in 2006. In 2012, additional renovations were made in the Sallie E. Coleman Fellowship Hall and a Historic Marker was unveiled on Sunday, April 29. In July of 2015, Reverend Dr. William L. Austin returned to Sidney Park CME Church as our Pastor. In August of 2016, Rev. Ian Spencer became the new leader of Sidney Park CME Church for 2 years. In August of 2018, Rev. James E. Smith, Jr. was our assigned Shephard until April 2021. We were then blessed to have Rev. Richard T. Wilson lead us. Then, in August 2021 we were assigned Rev. Faye R. Houston, the very first female pastor of Sidney Park CME Church. God has truly blessed us to accomplish many things as we continue to seek his grace through much prayer, praise and thanksgiving!

CHURCH STAFF