From A Grove of Locust Trees
Edenton is the third oldest town in North Carolina. It was incorporated in 1722 and was the state’s first capitol. When Edenton was incorporated, a group of slaves from a farm named Haughton Point began holding church services under a grove of locust trees.
In 1865, they built a “bush shelter;” the shelter blossomed into a small building from which came the first wood dwelling of "The Locust Grove A.M.E. Zion Church," its school and the name of the new community. Locust Grove is considered to be one of the oldest African-American churches in the nation today. It is a place you must visit during your travels!
Locust Grove sustained major damage from Hurricane Sandy and other storms. It is unsafe to hold services there, and is in dire need of repair.
In 1865, they built a “bush shelter;” the shelter blossomed into a small building from which came the first wood dwelling of "The Locust Grove A.M.E. Zion Church," its school and the name of the new community. Locust Grove is considered to be one of the oldest African-American churches in the nation today. It is a place you must visit during your travels!
Locust Grove sustained major damage from Hurricane Sandy and other storms. It is unsafe to hold services there, and is in dire need of repair.
Surnames of Families Associated with Locust Grove ChurchArmstead, Blanchard, Bond, Bonner, Burnett, Chapman, Creighton, Etheridge, Felton, Ford, Gilliam, Gramby, Hardy, Harrell, Harris, Hathaway, Horton, Johnson, Jones, Lamb, Lawson, McKlenney (McClenny), Mitchell, Mizzell, Newby, Nixon, Norcum, Norman, Paxton, Riddick, Sawyer, Simpson, Skinner, Smither, Smithwick, Stewart, Taylor, Wadsworth, Waff, White, Willis, Winston, Wynn
Inside Locust Grove AME Zion Methodist Church
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 Three generations heading out to Locust Grove for Sunday service |