Church
Founded 1821
As early as 1796 Methodism was known in the area. By 1803, when Chillicothe became the first capital of Ohio, meetings were held in a log house at the northwest corner of Second and Walnut Streets or in the State House with other congregations. In the beginning, both African American and White Methodists
worshiped together in a small brick church, which stood on the north side of Second Street, between Paint and Walnut Streets. This was the first Methodist Church in Chillicothe and the two races worshiped together here for a number of years. In those days they dressed plainly and wore no jewelry. They could be identified anywhere by their dress. The male members wore broad-brimmed hats and shad-bellied coats. The women wore Quaker-like bonnets and habits. The African American Methodists of Chillicothe were destined to experience the very conditions, which caused the founders of the A.M.E. George Methodist Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1776. George’s African American members increased greatly, resulting in their being moved to the gallery. This made it difficult for them to get to the altar prayer segment of the service. By the time African American members arrived at the altar, prayer was over, at which time they were pulled from their knees. They walked out - in a body - never to return. Similarly, the number of African American Methodists in Chillicothe grew tremendously and they also were moved to the gallery and compelled to wait until the White Methodists had communed. This was the principal cause for the subsequent separation. The African Americans had contributed their share to the support of the ministry and helped defray the expenses of the church. Naturally, they wanted to enjoy equal rights and privileges with their White brethren. In 1821, the African American members severed their connection with the White Methodists and went out to organize an independent church under the leadership of Richard Allen. For a number of years, they went under the name Allenites. On May 30, 1821, at the home of Rev. Peter James - on the south side of Fourth Street, between Mulberry and Paint Streets - the first A.M.E. church --Quinn Chapel-- was organized by Reverend William Paul Quinn, who later became Bishop Quinn. This made Quinn Chapel the oldest A.M.E. church in the state of Ohio and the oldest African American Church west of the Allegheny Mountains. In 1825 the first Annual Conference was held in Chillicothe. It was composed of sixteen preachers who came to the conference on horseback. Of the sixteen horses, only two had good eyes and he was lame. The present location was a lot purchased from Isaac Turner. The first brick building was erected by Samuel Watts. This was in 1857, when the name Quinn Chapel was given to it. In 1910, the present building was constructed during the pastorate of Rev. Walker. The dedication for the current Quinn Chapel A.M.E. Church building was held on Sunday, December 10, 1910 by Bishop W. Derrick. The renovation of the 1910 sanctuary was initiated in the fall of 1996 under the leadership of Rev. John S. Gaitawe. Also included in the restoration was a new handicapped accessible entrance as well as an additional restroom. The pews were also refurbished at that time. With God’s help and the dedication of the members and friends of Quinn Chapel the mortgage for the renovation of Quinn was “Paid in Full” in 2009 during the pastorate of Rev. Acie E. Collins.
