First African Methodist Episcopal Church

Where The Word Is Taught, The Gospel Is Preached, And Souls Are Saved.FAME was created in early spring of 1966, a small group under the leadership of Hugh Key assembled to discuss the possibility of organizing an African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church in Southern Nevada. In April 1966, First AME was fully organized under Rev. Horace Gholston. Services were held in several churches throughout the community until such time as a new church for First AME could be built. Under the leadership of Rev. Charles Wyatt, dedication services were held for the new church on April 20, 1975. From 1975 through 1994, several ministers were at the helm of First AME, to include: Rev. Albert Dunn, Rev. Charles Foster, Rev. J. Parker, Rev. James Allen, Rev. Waldo White, Rev. T. James Baker, Sr., and Rev. Samuel Winn. In September 1995, the assignment of Rev. Spencer Barrett to First AME was made. Many improvements were made and programs added to the church and discussion began regarding a new sanctuary. In November 2003, Bishop Bryant assigned Rev. Ralph E. Williamson to take First AME to another level. Rev. "Ralph" challenged the congregation to catch the vision of building a new worship center to meet the needs of the congregation and the surrounding community. On December 1, 2006, the First AME family celebrated 40 years of faith with a wonderful Ruby Jubilee Grande Finale. First AME and Rev. Williamson will break ground on April 27, 2008 to begin construction of the new state-of-the-art sanctuary in which to worship