Agape A.M.E. Church, Buffalo

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 “It Is No Secret What God Can Do”
“Agape: A Greek Word Meaning Love” 

Agape African Methodist Episcopal Church was originally organized as the Agape Church of Divine Love. The name was later changed to reflect its identity within the A.M.E. tradition.

The church was officially organized on September 14, 1969, in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Stenhouse. The founding members, who had previously been part of Delaine-Waring A.M.E. Church in Buffalo, New York, established this new congregation with a shared vision and commitment.

The founding members included: the late Rev. Melvin Crawford, Sis. Eldera Goldsmith, Pedro A. Castro, Clara Mae Castro, Angelina Castro, Diodi Castro, Charles E. Kelley, Emma Louise Kelley, Rhonda Kelley, Bonita Kelley, Kerwin Kelley, Deborah Casper, Patricia Kelley, Margurite Mitchell, Thelma Phelps, Thelma Stenhouse, Barbara Patton, James Patton, Coralyn Patton, Kelley Patton, Betty Walker, Toni Walker, Bessie Scott, Ickey Mae Williamson, Alex Williamson, Edna Shaw, Michael Shaw, Lamont Shaw, Richard Shaw, and Bruce and Linda Shaw.

During its early months, worship services were held in the homes of members, the Michigan Avenue YMCA, and the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer. The late Rev. Melvin G. Crawford served as Interim Pastor.

 A significant milestone in the life of the congregation came when a call was extended to Rev. Whitfield Washington as pastor. Under his leadership, the congregation was granted permission to use the former sanctuary of the Lutheran Evangelical Church of the Atonement, located at 222–224 Northland Avenue in Buffalo, New York.

The church edifice was leased through the B.U.I.L.D. organization—Build Unity, Independence, Liberty, and Independence—which had secured the lease from the Lutheran Coordinated Ministry of Buffalo. Agape paid a monthly rental of $125.00 for the sanctuary.

During Rev. Washington’s pastorate, the church was formally organized and received its charter as a religious institution.

Rev. Charles Smith served as Interim Pastor for six months. During this period, the congregation voted to seek admission into the New York Annual Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and was granted entry.

This transition was encouraged by Rev. Floyd Nathaniel Black, who served briefly prior to the appointment of Rev. Theodore Hudson by Bishop Ernest Lawrence Hickman. Rev. Hudson, along with his wife Joyce, who served as a musician, helped guide the church during a season of growth.

During this time, the church purchased a parsonage at 1008 Humboldt Parkway, which was later sold. Rev. Hudson served with distinction for three years. It was also during this period that the church formally adopted the name Agape African Methodist Episcopal Church.

At the May 1977 New York Annual Conference, Bishop Richard Allen Hildebrand appointed Rev. Fred Lucas Jr. as pastor. A graduate of Harvard University and Harvard Divinity School, Rev. Lucas brought both academic depth and global experience, having served in Monrovia, Liberia, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Under his leadership, the church entered a transformative season. Plans were developed to:

1. Purchase the property at 222–224 Northland Avenue, which the congregation had rented for nine years. The purchase was completed in October 1978 for $60,000. The building included a sanctuary with a seating capacity of 500, a marble altar, pipe organ, stained glass windows, and an educational wing with twenty-one offices and classrooms. 
2. Establish Agape as a community-centered church through initiatives such as Project Love, the Commission on Community Outreach, the Agape African Liberation Committee, “Church Invitation,” television broadcasts, and other ministries. 
3. Provide intentional leadership and support for both youth and seniors within the church and surrounding community. 

In February 1978, the Church Conference formally voted to purchase the property. A building fund was established, and the agreed price of $60,000 was accepted by the Buffalo Coordinated Ministry. That same year, Agape hosted the District Conference of the Buffalo-Brooklyn District, with Rev. A. Earl Jordon serving as Presiding Elder.

On Sunday, February 17, 1980, Bishop Hildebrand presented a check for $60,000 to finalize the purchase of the church property.

These funds were raised over nineteen months with support from the First Episcopal District and the connectional church. The long-held vision had become reality: Agape A.M.E. Church had “possessed the land.”

On June 11, 1980, M&T Bank of Buffalo granted the church a $100,000 mortgage to support renovations of the facility.

Agape also hosted the Fall Convocation of the First Episcopal District under Bishop Hildebrand’s leadership.

In 1982, a women’s retreat themed “Sisters Sharing” was held at the Buffalo Hilton Hotel. Organized by Rev. Barbara Austin Lucas as a missionary initiative, the event drew over one thousand women from across the United States, Canada, and Bermuda, and was both spiritually uplifting and widely impactful.

That same year, Rev. Dr. Andrew T. Holtz Jr. was appointed pastor. During his tenure, several individuals answered the call to preach, including E.J. Robinson, Derrick Harris, Ruth Harris, Elreda Hollingsworth, and Lenora Fears.

Rev. Dr. Holtz also introduced several key ministries, including the 8:00 a.m. worship service, a Food Pantry, the Soup Kitchen Chapel Hour, and the Agape Crisis Intervention Center.

In 1985, Rev. Robert O. Bailey was appointed pastor. A gifted administrator, he led the church in eliminating outstanding debts and acquiring additional properties. Under his leadership, Rev. Bernie J. Savage entered the Local Ministry.

In 1987, a new parsonage was purchased at 37 Blaine Avenue, with significant renovations completed under Rev. Bailey’s leadership.

In 1988, Rev. James E. F. Lawrence was appointed pastor. During his administration, Brother Kenyatta Cobb answered the call to preach, and the Annie W. Hargrave Missionary Society was formally dedicated.

In 1989, the now-beloved “Gourmet Gents Affair” was introduced—a fellowship event highlighting the culinary talents of Agape’s men. This tradition reflected both creativity and community spirit.

Rev. James E. F. Lawrence, who served with dignity and grace, would later become Presiding Elder of the Western New York Connection.

On April 17, 1992, Rev. Wayne Arthur Johnson, Sr. was appointed pastor. Recognizing the need for spiritual growth, he reorganized the morning prayer ministry and introduced the “Hour of Power” Wednesday evening worship services.

In 1993, the church celebrated its twenty-fourth anniversary with a revival led by Rev. Fred A. Lucas Jr. Rev. Anne Hargrave Pinn, a Local Elder, was honored with a testimonial dinner during the celebration.

In 1994, Agape marked its twenty-fifth anniversary, celebrating a quarter-century of ministry as a vibrant spiritual force in Buffalo. Under Rev. Johnson’s leadership, the church expanded its engagement in ecumenical, civic, and academic partnerships.

Through strategic relationships and a commitment to holistic ministry, Agape continued to thrive—remaining a loving, caring, and sharing body of believers despite the challenges of a changing world.

Following Rev. Johnson’s tenure, several pastors were assigned to lead Agape A.M.E. Church. Rev. Dr. Natalie P. Alford served from 2001 to 2004. Rev. Jahkimmo F. Smith served briefly as Interim Pastor, after which Rev. Horace Cromer was appointed.

Rev. Cromer continues to serve as pastor, guiding the church into a new season of ministry.

All information contained herein was provided by Mrs. Davis and Rev. Horace C. Cromer.