Gold Hill A.M.E. Zion Church was established in the late 1800's. During that time a group of five men began their search for a site in a thriving community to purchase land to build a church. as they searched, a land owner name John F. Black, who lived in New York City, NY agreed to sell them two acres for twenty five dollars. This land was part of a plantation known as: The Stewart's Place. The n
ames of the named trustees were: Harvey O'Leary, Jeff Barber, Amos Patton, Sam Austin and William Sanders. With their knowledge of a golf mine nearby, they named the church Gold Hill. A title of real estate dated April 8, 1898 was issued to Harvey O'Leary and trustees of Gold Hill African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, state of South Carolina from John F. Black, resident of New York City, NY. The title of real estate is recorded in Deed Book J-page 398/399, June 17, 1898 in the Lancaster, SC Courthouse. The first church was a small oblong, unpainted and no-ceiled structure, which burned in 1900. The second church was built between 1901 and 1902; this building was dedicated in 1910, it too was destroyed. All old register books, books of baptisms, member deaths, Sunday school books, minute books, and financial records were destroyed dated 1901-1937. There were no published historic sketched or schedules of the Lancaster District. The third church was built in 1937; it was a 45x30 oblong white wooden frame building in size, A bell tower formed the vestibule, the structure included rectangle doors, windows, white painted ceiling, unpainted pine pews, and factory built pulpit and chairs. The heating supply was with a wood stove. Gold Hill has undergone many changes since its beginning over a century ago. The present church has been completely renovated and fully equipped with all modern day necessities. The parking area has been paved and marked. The church has accessible handicap ramps and rails; the church signs are erected in front of the church and at the intersection of Highway 521 and Van Wyck Rd, With all the additions, our church is now 4,400 sq. feet and is a beautiful completely bricked structure, Bricking of the church was done by two trustees who were bricklayers, Floyd Adams and John H. Information obtained indicated 30 pastors have been assigned to this church. Reverend Robert Allen Morrison served the longest as pastor for 35 years. Presently, Reverend Linda Hill is a serving as the 30th pastor. It is my hope that this oral history report is preserved for those who will come after us. "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?" The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalm 27:1
