In 1924, the AMC building burned. It was rumored that a white man who lived near the church burned it because the saints made too much noise during these nightly services. However, within a year, the brethren constructed a new building under the leadership of Elder James Manor, where it stands today. This temporary setback only reminded the saints that persecution is inevitable when one decides to follow Jesus. So, this alleged arson only strengthened their faith in holiness, and many souls were added to the church. The size of the building increased when the brethren rebuilt it, and it became the largest African American church in the area. Because of this excitement of shouting and rejoicing in the Holy Ghost, people from around the area would come and stand outside peering into the windows just to glimpse as the saints rejoiced and glorified their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, in the Holy Ghost. Many stories are told among the Saints about men and women rejoicing in the Lord. One brother named Deacon George Smith would balance himself like an acrobat on the back of the pews while walking and rejoicing in the Lord. The preachers’ messages were so exciting that the Church became so crowded during these services that the men would eagerly give their seats for the ladies to sit. This rural church in Abbeville really resembled the early church as Luke described in Acts 2:1-4 when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place…And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

One of Bishop Williams’ goals was to establish a church school to educate the young people of this community.  This school was organized in the church during the early years. Again, the right people with an anointing from God came to this rural community to serve; they were Sister Eufaula Franklin and Sister Sally Baldwin. The two blood sisters left Birmingham, Alabama, with a serving spirit and a desire to educate the Saints' children in a rural community far from the city. Many African Americans did not have access to public education during this time, especially in the rural parts of Alabama. The students in this school were grouped according to age and grade level. The enrollment consisted of 25 to 35 children.  During the 1940s, a school building was constructed out of concrete blocks by Deacon Charles Vaughn, Brother Dot Peterman, and other carpenters in the church.  This building consisted of five classrooms and an auditorium. 

Later the Henry County Board of Education opened segregated public schools for African Americans throughout the various communities in Henry County. Since there were no government funds to subsidize the cost of attending the church (private) school, the doors were closed. However, the Saints had pleasurable and rich memories of this school from these two sisters. Before public schools for grades K-12 developed, they provided "Christian Education" for a nominal fee for many years. Truly, Sister Franklin and Sister Baldwin exemplified the true meaning of servanthood as demonstrated by Jesus in Mark 9: 36-37, “And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them, Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.”

The two blood sisters left Birmingham, Alabama, with a serving spirit and a desire to educate the Saints' children in a rural community far from the city. Many African Americans did not have access to public education during this time, especially in the rural parts of Alabama. The students in this school were grouped according to age and grade level. The enrollment consisted of 25 to 35 children.  During the 1940s, a school building was constructed out of concrete blocks by Deacon Charles Vaughn, Brother Dot Peterman, and other carpenters in the church.  This building consisted of five classrooms and an auditorium. 

Later the Henry County Board of Education opened segregated public schools for African Americans throughout the various communities in Henry County. Since there were no government funds to subsidize the cost of attending the church (private) school, the doors were closed. However, the Saints had pleasurable and rich memories of this school from these two sisters. Before public schools for grades K-12 developed, they provided "Christian Education" for a nominal fee for many years. Truly, Sister Franklin and Sister Baldwin exemplified the true meaning of servanthood as demonstrated by Jesus in Mark 9: 36-37, “And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them, Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.”

AMC continued to thrive under many ordained elders: Elder D. W. McMillian, Elder Manor, Elder M.W. Davis, Elder J.T. Rowe, Elder H. Ming, and Elder J.C. McLeod. All worked faithfully to move the church forward by feeding the Saints the true Word of God as pastors and elders. All the pastors were special to the Saints at AMC. After the founder, Bishop Williams, Elder Manor assumed the role of pastor, and Elder Rowe followed him. After Elder Rowe, Elder Davis became the lead pastor until he married one of the Saints’ children. To avoid favoritism within the congregation, Elder Davis relinquished his role to Elder Ming. Following Elder Ming, Elder Davis returned as the pastor and served until his death. Afterward, Elder McLeod became the pastor and served until October 2010, in which Elder Larry Newman became the pastor until September 12, 2013. Our congregation at AMC is currently led by Elder Vincent Brown as pastor.