In 1857, the first African American congregation was established as part of the Methodist Sycamore Chapel, on the corner of Oakum and Church Street (this structure is no longer standing).

Twenty six years later, in 1870, the congregation built their first church on East Gale Street - a small wooden structure.

In 1897, Kadesh AME Zion had outgrown its original church and commissioned Hannibal Badham Sr., a congregant and member of a pioneering family of African American builders, to construct a new Gothic Revival church. The dreams shared by this historic congregation came together when they reverently entered their new church, beautifully appointed with spacious seating for 400.

The church on East Gale Street is surrounded by homes built from the 1870s to the 1920s - homes that were at the heart of the African American community.

In 2003, Hurricane Isabel severely damaged the Kadesh AME Zion church. Parishioners were unable to worship in the building and the congregation was forced to place the historic furnishings and arched windows in storage.

In 2021, the church received the Sacred Spaces Grant and work began quickly afterwards. In February of 2023, Down East Woodworks carefully removed the stained glass windows out of storage to begin restoring them.

As of the end 2024, the windows were re-installed in the church. Down East Preservation now works on rebuilding the steeple.

Restoring the Kadesh A.M.E. Zion Church after the devastation of Hurricane Isabel has been a journey of hope, dedication, and resilience.

Reconstructing this place of worship has brought a new found joy to our DEP team and all the other teams of experts, as we collaborate to rebuild not just the walls, but a symbol of faith and strength for our community.