A spirit of rejoicing and thankfulness surround Pastor Mary S. Minor and the members of Brookins-Kirkland Community AME Church (BKCAMEC) as they prepare to dedicate their new worship home.
The dedication service takes place on Sunday, Dec. 4, at 3:30 p.m., in their new edifice located at 3719 West Slauson Avenue in Los Angeles. A reception will be held from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Bishop Clement W. Fugh, presiding prelate of the 5th Episcopal District of the AME Church and retired Bishop Theodore Larry Kirkland, S., the first pastor of Brookins, will participate in the worship.
“This is a momentous occasion in the life of our church and we welcome the community to join us at our celebration service,” said Minor.
“Our congregation experienced a number of challenges during the last few years, however, God has sustained us and empowered us to reach this milestone.”
BKCAMEC evolved from Brookins Community AME Church founded by the late Bishop Hartford Hamel Brookins in April 1977. Kirkland was appointed the first pastor in June 1977 and served 19 years before being elected and consecrated as the 114th bishop of the AME Church in 1996.
In recent years, the church suffered financial difficulties that resulted in the loss of the original edifice in November 2014. While the members worshipped in a temporary location, the Southern California Conference of the AME Church passed a resolution to reincorporate the parish as Brookins-Kirkland Community AME Church in October 2015. Minor was appointed in November 2015 and led the membership in securing and moving into the new edifice in November 2016.
“We’re excited and extremely thankful for God’s guidance, the support of the AMEC leadership and the commitment of BKCAMEC members as we enter a new phase in our church history,” said Minor.
For information, call the church office at (323) 296-5610.
