Bethany Methodist Episcopal Church
Payne Chapel, African Methodist Church, Hamilton
320 South Front

 
The African Methodist Episcopal Church was founded in Hamilton in 1840 by the Rev. Thomas Lawrence of Cincinnati.  At that time there were nineteen members.  In 1842, a church was erected and dedicated at Water (Monument Ave.) and Ludlow Streets.  In 1844, the congregation was attached to the Cincinnati circuit and later shared a pastor with the church members in Oxford.  In 1880, the congregations separated.  In 1877, a new chapel was erected in Hamilton.  On July 18, 1954, the congregation purchased the Grace Methodist Church building at South Front Street for their use.
230 South Front, purchased by Payne AME in 1954

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