Although no official written history has been kept, the historical sketch of Maxwell Chapel AME Church has been based on the recollection of some of the oldest surviving members as well as current active members.
By one account, it has been stated that a long-handed written letter indicates that as early as 1879, William and Fannie Moore began to gather community members together for the purpose of worship in the Graham/Saxapahaw area. The recollections give the following account:
The people in this area were without a place to worship. They chose to attend a meeting place located on the Supthin Mill Road known as Bowden Meeting House.
They congregated there until a Mr. Thompson sought to give those meeting in this space (African Americans) a place to worship. This site was given to a Mr. Alvis Alston to use as long as it remained a church site. Sometime thereafter, a Brush Arbor was built for a place to have service.
The first service was conducted without a pastor. It consisted of Sunday School and a
Prayer Meeting. As time expanded, a very noble and gifted gentleman by the name of Mr. Judd Camel moved to this area with the ability to teach and helped the members advance the ministry and a place to hold church services was built.
Mr. Camel organized this small group of people and started building with the men from the Alston family and other men in the community. The foundation for the frame church was soon erected. The building was constructed, a well for water was dug, a wood heater for heat and an outside restroom completed the project.
According to the first corner stone, the original structure was named "Maxton Chapel"
Eventually, a split occurred within the church and a majority of the Bowdens' moved to Burnett's Chapel Christian Church. Maxton Chapel and what is now Wood's Chapel AME Church were together until Wayman's Chapel AME and Woods Chapel AME became a circuit. In 1931, both Maxton Chapel and Morrow's Grove were missions. The names changed from Maxton to Maxwell Chapel and Morrow's Grove to St. Matthew AME Church. These two churches formed the Saxapahaw Circuit.
In the early 1940's, Rev. T.W. White was the pastor. Under his leadership, the members and officials of this church decided they wanted a better and more modern place to worship. The old building was demolished and a block building erected. In subsequent years, the block building was upgraded to brick and serves as the facility we worship in today.
In 2018, Maxwell Chapel AMEC celebrates 105 years of ministry and service. As a congregation, we have adopted the vision of being a church that demonstrates true community by serving, witnessing, loving God and loving God's people (Acts2:42-47).
May our ancestors be proud of the work we've sustained and may the Lord be glorified through our dedication and service to His call.