“We’ve Come This Far By Faith”

North Stelton A.M.E. Church History

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen,” Hebrews 11:1

 

One could say that scripture was the feeling of a few members of the North Stelton community back in 1963 when Rev. Anna M. Howard was given the task of starting a church in this community. When Rev. James Waters (while serving as pastor of Mt. Zion A.M.E., New Brunswick) assigned this “act of faith” to her, we wonder if even he envisioned the years it would take to make this dream a reality. However, Rev. Howard was a strong Christian lady that graciously accepted this challenge and never doubted North Stelton would someday have a church. Rev. Howard’s first step was to visit some of the families in this community (which was called North Stelton) to discuss her plans. This was followed by an organizational meeting at Sis. Cordia Fleming’s home. After this meeting, it was realized that we would first begin with a Sunday School. Rev. Howard loved children and felt even if there isn’t a Church, that they should begin their education as Christians. The Sunday School was eventually housed in the basement of Mr. Will Roby on Poplar Road. 

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Through the conscientious efforts of the late Bro. James Bryant and the late Bro. George Hush, Sr., a piece of land was secured for the purpose of erecting a house of worship at 123 Craig Avenue in Piscataway. Many neighborhood children attended the Sunday School during that time. On November 2, 1969, Bishop John D. Bright and the New Jersey Annual Conference met at the site in an official “ground-breaking” ceremony. There were 13 Charter Members.

 

During the years that followed, we continued to have fundraising projects and events to keep the spirit of North Stelton Chapel alive. Rev. Howard continued to pray and work towards her dream until she fell ill and died in 1977. It was Rev. Howard’s hope that Rev. Edward E. Adams (Asst. Pastor, Mt. Zion A.M.E., New Brunswick) would pick up the torch and continue her work in North Stelton. Rev. Henry Hildebrand (Mt. Zion AME, New Brunswick) released Rev, Adams to serve as Administrator/Coordinator of the North Stelton AME Church). On May 7, 1978, our new church was dedicated, and Rev. Adams was officially appointed the first Pastor of North Stelton A.M.E. Church by Bishop Richard Allen Hildebrand. Rev. Ann Freeland was appointed Assistant Pastor. During the tenure of Rev. Adams, the church congregation grew so much that two Sunday services were put in place to accommodate the membership. Realizing the needs of an expanding congregation, Rev. Adams began to develop plans to have a larger building erected. A building fund drive was instituted to pay off the original mortgage and for the pending construction. Rev. Adams continued to serve until he became ill in the 4th quarter of 1988. Interim Pastors Presiding Elder Charles E. Martin and Bishop Frank Curtis Cummings carried the church into the New Jersey Annual Conference.

 

On April 9, 1989, Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Saunders, Sr. was appointed Pastor by Bishop Frank Curtis Cummings. Rev. Saunders arrived at North Stelton and found the congregation in the midst of a tempest. Those stormy days gave credence to Paul’s declaration, “Through much tribulation we enter the Kingdom of God.” The harvest was truly great, but the laborers were few. It was during this time that God showed the remaining congregation His mighty power.

 

Rev. Saunders got to work with the people, and we subsequently liquidated the mortgage on the first church building within 8 months of his appointment. On December 9, 1989, the Mortgage Burning Ceremony took place, paving the way for the erection of the new sanctuary. After revisions to the original plans and much prayer, in September 1991, the Danladi Corporation of Pennsylvania, was secured as general contractor. Along with Ben Gaudy, Architect, and Rev. Saunders, they proceeded to design the present building.

 

During the months that followed, Bros. Curtis Bynes, the late Jim Irby and the late William Davidson aided in the construction supervision while the entire congregation exercised their faith in God through their stewardship and service. The Church flourished both spiritually and financially and a commonwealth of love became spontaneous. Many souls were added to our ranks as the building progressed and the walls began to go up. 

 

On June 27, 1992, in a grand assembly, North Stelton marched into the present edifice, at which time the church was dedicated by Bishop Frank Curtis Cummings. A time capsule was placed in the cornerstone of the new building to be opened in 2092 for our future generations share our legacy. What a blessing!

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Rev. Saunders led the church through many years of tremendous growth and under his leadership, numerous ministries were birthed to serve our adult and youth members and the community. New members joined the church, 12-15 during some months, and soon filled the new edifice. North Stelton was given the honor to host the New Jersey Annual Conference in 1998 under Bishop Phillip R. Cousin and again in 2017 under Bishop Gregory G.M. Ingram. You know that we did in grand style as only North Stelton can do! 

 

The late Bro. Mike Griffith, Steward Board Vice Chair, used his extensive knowledge in the banking field to design a plan to have our mortgage liquidated sooner than the 30-year contract required, and this plan would be realized in 2019. What a mighty God we serve!

 

On April 28, 2018, during the New Jersey Annual Conference, Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Saunders, Sr., along with his wife, Sis. Shirley Harris Saunders and their son, Bro. Kenneth L. Saunders, Jr. (Kenny), officially retired as Pastor after 29 years of loving and faithful service to North Stelton and the community. At the Bishop’s request, Rev. Saunders continued to lead us until mid-June.

 

On June 16, 2018, Bishop Gregory G.M. Ingram appointed Rev. Dr. Eric R. Billips, Sr. and Rev. Dr. Myra Turner Billips as the Pastors of North Stelton.  They were the first Clergy Couple to have been appointed to North Stelton. The pastors led North Stelton in another liquidation of a mortgage. On June 9, 2019, in a great celebration of Forty-one years in “Miracle Valley”, the congregation experienced the blessing of burning a second mortgage. 

 

The Billips Team led the church through several uncertain years of a world-wide pandemic. In mid-March of 2020, due to a statewide shutdown of all gatherings of more than ten persons caused by the COVID-19 global pandemic, the church building was shut down. We had to pivot but we kept on praising God. During this unusual time, we had to navigate through the gathering restrictions by holding services and events outside and via Zoom video conferencing. The James O. and Wilhelmina Bryant Food Pantry reopened after several months and served 3 times as many families as before the pandemic. The building re-opened in June 2021 for in-person services with health protocols. The Soup Kitchen ministry, now The Bernice Olive Soup Kitchen, was established in February of 2023, that weekly provides over 100 lunches to the community. We praise GOD, that to this day, we have not lost one member to COVID-19! 

 

After the establishment as a national holiday, our Juneteenth Community Festival began. At the 2nd Annual celebration in 2024, North Stelton had the honor to welcome as our special guest, Ms. Opal Lee, “The Grandmother of Juneteenth”. On December 1, 2024, The Billips Team was appointed Presiding Elder and Consultant of the Brooklyn-Westchester District in the New York Annual Conference.

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On Sunday, December 1, 2024, Bishop Samuel L. Green, Sr., appointed Rev. Ritney A. Castine the new pastor of North Stelton AME Church.  We were excited to introduce and celebrate Pastor Castine and his family, First Lady Darsheena and their son, Master Amari to our family and the community.

 

Pastor Castine’s vision, North Stelton N.E.X.T., Nurturing, Engaging, EXpanding, Transforming, reflects more than a new beginning—it is a declaration of purpose and forward movement. We are embracing what’s next with bold faith, open hearts, and a renewed commitment to God’s vision for our church, our community, and our individual lives. We Are The Family of God!

To God Be The Glory!