Unity AME Church was combined from two churches in 2024. those Churches being Mount Olive AME Church and Williams Chapel AME Church. The Histories of both go as follows:

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Mount Olive

The records that have been passed down over the years were from a reliable sources. It is not exactly known why this name was chosen for the church, but it was first mentioned in scripture in 2 Samuel 15:30. Zechariah 14:4 prophesied the Mount of Olives as the exact place where the Messiah would return. Mount Olive AME Church Millington was organized in 1888 in West Tennessee in an old frame
house behind a livery stable on Roscoe McCormick’s place, at what is now known as Wilkinsville Road.

    The charter members migrated from Tipton County and other places in Shelby County to unite with this group, which is recorded in the records of the AME Church in 1906. The group was small in number, but they worked hard and untimely. The membership increased considerably until by the end of the first year, it gained strength both physically and spiritually. In 1912, due to their continued growth, they were able to purchase land about ¾ of a mile from where they were worshipping, from E. A. Harrold, a little closer to the town of Millington, TN, known as the “Old Hall ground” under the pastoral leadership of Reverend S. I. Brown. Serving as Trustees at that time were brothers: Matt Coward, Ben Jones and E. W. Whiting. These men gave their service and labor to build a house for God. There was a great revival, and many souls were saved and
added to the church. It was not a little wooden church on a hill, but it was a little church by the side of the road and people came from miles around for the services that were held.

   Services were held in the building on “the Hall ground” for over thirty (30) years. The church had undergone repairs and, as time passed, the old building became very worn and needed much repair. On Sunday, the pigeons had service with us. There were holes in the roof and the floor. Reverend Doyle was the pastor when the church was torn down. The services were then held in the old K. P. Hall until the new church was built. We had several pastors over the years after the original building was torn down. Reverend M. M. Cole and Reverend Atkins were
pastors in the late 50’s and early 60’s.

    Realizing that the town of Millington had gone through much growth, the officers and members decided to purchase land from Mrs. Martha Walsh on March 3, 1961, and construction began under the pastoral leadership of Reverend R. L. Beckett, who became pastor around 1963. Under Reverend R. L. Beckett, construction of the current building at 8803 Wells Road began. The building was completed, and the corner stone was laid in May 1966 by Reverend B. T. Parham, the pastor at that time. Reverend Parham stayed at Mount Olive for thirteen years (1966-1979). The names on the corner stone are as follows: Bishop-Reverend F.D. Jordan, Presiding Elder-Reverend G. C. Jenkins, and Pastor-Reverend R. L. Beckett. The Trustees: A. C. Brown, C. Clements, D. W. Phillip, X. L. Webb, Will Vaughn, W. B. Phillip, W. V. Pryor, E. Brown, Ardella Jackson and C. E. Morgan. The church secretary was Cotis Clements and Treasurer was Vera Terrell. During these years, Mount Olive was known for its spiritual services. Several musicians played for the church during the above years. They were Mae Ragland, Maxine Holmes, Mrs. Bell, Bernice Boyland, Mae Hicks and Mary Montgomery.
 

    Mount Olive has always had a great choir and the members worked very hard in serving the community. Mount Olive was the first church in our district to start playing drums with the choir around 1970. The choir was famous for their singing and joined the Westside Singing Union, where Sis Lillie Morgan was president for twenty-five years. Mount Olive was the only church in Shelby County that was a part of the Westside Singing Union. On the fourth and fifth Sunday nights the choir traveled to different churches in the neighborhood on the famous school bus driven by Brother Buck Morgan and his son Buck Jr. The men of Mount Olive built the back end of the church. These men were Brother Gussie Pryor, Brother Cotis Clements, Brother Bud Phillips, Brother Willie Jones, Brother Willie Ben Phillips, Brother Carthy (Buck) Morgan and Brother Mickey Woods. Reverend Parham and the members worked hard to pay off the mortgage. The balance of $25,000 was paid in November 1979, under the pastoral leadership of Reverend C. C. Burke and a mortgage burning ceremony was performed with all the former pastors, invited by Pastor C. C. Burke including Reverends E. M.Martin and Presiding Elder H. R. Jackson. A new piano was also dedicated in 1979.
 

    While the youth were a special concern, the pastor and members attempted to keep them involved with church activities, conventions, conferences and other choir activities. In 1982, Reverend Harold Horton (1982-1985) was appointed to Mount Olive and during his first year the choir was invited to sing on Channel 13 TV station. This was a great event for the church and the concert was great. There is a video tape. Sister Mae Hicks and Brother Keith Pryor were the musicians at this time. The organ for the church was purchased in 1984 at this time.
From 1985-1988, Reverend Harold Davis (now deceased) served as pastor.
 

    Our leadership from 1988 to 1990 was Reverend Cecil Maddox. Our membership increased at this time and the project to improve the kitchen and build up the flat roof was completed. Under Reverend Maddox, the pastor, choir and members
traveled to Newport News, Virginia to visit Pastor JoAnn Anderson, who was raised in Mount Olive. Reverend David Earl Booker served as pastor for one year, 1990-1991 followed by Cornelius Driver, who died while he was pastoring from
1991-1993.
 

    Under the pastoral leadership of Reverend Kirk Ridley from 1993-2000, the church purchased new carpet and pews. Reverend Ridley played the organ, which was the first time the church had a full-time organist. During his administration, old members returned, and church attendance improved. The Missionary Department and youth department were on the move again. Other improvements to the church property included central heating and air, a fellowship hall, parking lot and landscaping.
 

    During this time, Al Green was invited by Eddie Faye Hall (who worked for Al Green) in May of 1996. Eddie Faye Hall sponsored an afternoon service featuring the world renowned Al Green. Al Green sang, preached and during his sermon jumped over the altar while singing. It was a glorious day for the church.

    In 2000, a new era began under the pastoral leadership of Elder Howard Griffen (2000-2005). More improvements were made, indebtedness eliminated, and ministries expanded. The purchase of an electric organ was made that year. During this season, Mount Olive sponsored the Sunday School Convention in our district. We were able to use E. A. Harold School and tents to accommodate the people. The youth department started a praise team and a drill team. In 2005, the conference decided to move Elder Griffen to another church. In October 2005
some members decided to leave the A.M.E. connection causing a split of the church.

     Reverend George Turk was assigned to Mount Olive in 2005 for one year. The next year Reverend Agnes Henderson came to Mount Olive. She stayed for five years, and the church started to grow again. Reverend Henderson had
Reverend Patsy Brown as Assistant Pastor along with Reverend Irene Booker.

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    In 2011, Reverend Irene Booker became the pastor of Mount Olive. She left in 2015. Reverend William Smith served as interim pastor from 2015-2016. During his term, he took the church to the 2016 Conference. Pastor Smith died
unexpectedly during the first part of 2017.
 

    Reverend Gregory McCollins served as pastor from 2017 until he passed in November 2019. Under the leadership of Reverend McCollins, a new roof was installed on the church building in 2017 and beautification of the sanctuary was
completed.
 

    Reverend Doctor Felicia Ingram served as Pastor from December 2019 – April 2021 during the first COVID 19 pandemic, when the church building was closed from March 2020 by order of the government and the AME Church. For the first time virtual worship was held on Facebook and Zoom.
 

    Reverend Denise S Richardson was appointed Pastor from May 3, 2021, until the present. Retired AME pastor and spouse of Reverend Richardson, Stanley T. Richardson Sr. serves as Assistant Pastor, church school and Bible Study Teacher. The Stewards are Christopher Collins (Pro Tem), Dorothy Peete, and Mary McVay. The Trustees are Calvin Morgan, Humphrey Waller and Stanley
Richardson (Pro Tem). The Technology team is composed of Christopher D. Collins and Leon T. Richardson.
 

    During the Pandemic (March 2020-2022), the church building was forced to close by the government and the AME church. A major water leak caused the church to flood after which major interior damage was discovered within the church building. The church membership continued to function and worship as a “church without walls” virtually and in person. Mount Olive purchased and established a website at www.mountoliveamechurchmillington.com. The outside porch, various restaurants and a park were utilized for the church-school and worship services on Sunday.
 

    Mount Olive was allowed by the Millington District (Elder Darrell Scott) and 13 th District leadership (Bishop E. Anne Henning Byfield) to rent the sanctuary at Williams Chapel AME Church located at 6790 Navy Road from November 2022 until the present. At this time, it was decided, in respect of Williams Chapel’s Sunday Services, that Mount Olive would have church school and worship services on Saturdays for in person worship from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm. The AME leadership along with the West Tennessee Conference Trustees contributed significant financial, educational and spiritual support to the redevelopment and consistent existence of Mount Olive AME Church during this time.
Mount Olive has always been fiercely productive in inspiring ministers, some of whom have started their own churches. There have been several ordained ministers from the youth of Mount Olive to include Bishop Pastor JoAnn Jones
Anderson (Virginia) (deceased).
 

     Reverend Anderson recorded as the lead soloist on Savoy Label with the late Reverend James Cleveland during her 28 years in Flint, Michigan. She also sang with the New Jerusalem Full Gospel Baptist Church as lead singer. Bishop
Anderson served on the Fellowship Assistance Council as an Elder with Full Gospel Baptist Church under Bishop Paul S. Morton. In 1987, Bishop Jones Anderson founded New Living Well Bible Church. Minister Carolyn A. Vaughn Brown, also a youth member from Mount Olive
is now the pastor of New Living Well Worship Center in Millington. She is the granddaughter of “PaPa” Will Vaughn who served as the Sunday School Superintendent when the church was on the Hall Ground. After several years, God showed favor to give her the oldest church building in Millington, Tennessee.
 

     Others who served as ministers following their youth at Mount Olive are Pastor Robert Branch(deceased) and Minister Pearl Morgan. Both of whom started their ministerial journey at the same time through the AME Connection. Over the years, the dedicated officers and members have worked diligently in uplifting the spirits of the people and the church edifice. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we hope to expand the ministry of every member of Mount Olive African Methodist Episcopal Church as we capture the vision, waiting on Jesus to continue showing us new ways to serve and worship Him within the Millington Community and throughout the world virtually.