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LYONS CHAPEL A.M.E. ZION--THE BEGINNINGS OF OUR HERITAGE IN NEW CANTON, TENNESSEE
1869 - 1997
The Lyons Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, formerly known as the New Canton African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, was organized in 1869 by the Reverend Robert Russell.
Three other churches were built, the first two destroyed by fire, the third demolished to make room for the fourth building built for the Worship of God. The foundation members of the New Canton A.M.E. Zion Church were Mrs. Louise Leeper, Creasy Leeper, Lee Lyons, Addie Lyons, Gip Lyons, Annie Lyons, Ludie Leeper, Davie Lyons, Fannie Lyons, Fred Hoard, Mary Hoard, Henry Lyons, Cornelia Lyons, Victoria Phipps, William (Bill) Lyons, Dan Ford, Winnie Ford, Clint Lyons, John Lyons and many others.
During 1954-1955, the new church edifice was built during the administration of the late Reverend C.A. Coffee, the late Reverend Curtis Edge, Presiding Elder, and the late Bishop Raymond Luther Jones, Presiding Bishop. Mr. Vincent Maxwell played a very important part in the eriction of this building, including the laying of the cornerstone.
Mr. William A. Lyons was the chairman of the Trustee Board, Mrs. Margaret Ford, Secretary, who passed away on Friday, January 31, 1997, and the Service of Triumph was held on Wednesday, February 5, 1997. Mr. Ed Leeper was Treasurer during this period. Mr. Frank Price was 104 years when he died on November 20, 1994, during the conference year 1994-95. Mr. Owen Maxwell died on December 30, 1995, during the conference year 1995-96. He was 74 years. Mr. Ralph C. Leeper, Chairman Emeritus of the Trustee Board gave his life for the church, and passed away during this conference year 1996-97 on Friday, October 25, 1996, and the Service of Triumph was held on Monday, October 28, 1996. He was 75 years.
At the time of this writing in 1997, the Church celebrated the heritage of the parishioners still living at that time: Mrs. Effie Leeper (97 years, the oldest member).. Mrs. Dennie B. Ford, Mr. Walter Stafford (at that time, residing in the Church Hill Nursing Home).. Mr. Vincent Maxwell, Mrs. Myrtle Leeper, Mrs. Elizabeth Maxwell, Mrs. hazel Leeper, Mrs. Lucille Lyons, Mrs. Mary Kate Brice, Mrs. Minnie Cox, Mrs. Zeola Leeper, Mrs. Mary Watterson, Mr. Tom Long, Mrs. Maggie Long, Mr. Carl Leeper, Mr. Ernest Ford, Mr. James Watterson, Mrs. Barbara Hoskins, Mrs. Janie Maxwell and many others, including a nice group of young adult members.
We cannot forget those who labored at the New Canton A.M.E. Zion Church, now known as the Lyons Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church, and have gone on to the world beyond the grave. Let light perpetual shine upon them and they continue to rest in peace.
God has richly blessed us, and we look forward for even greater blessings. We praise God and give Him all the glory and honor, world without end.
(Signed)
Mr. Vincent Maxwell, Historian and Chairman of the Church History Committee
Mr. William Douglas, Jr.
Mrs. Phyllis Delaney
Mrs. Elizabeth Maxwell
Mrs. Delores Douglas
