our humble beginnings

The History of spottswood African Methodist episcopal zion church

The Local or Union A.M.E. Zion Church was established as a mission church in 1903 and services were held at 11 Corbin Place (now called Herald Square) in New Britain, CT.  In May of 1905 the church was duly incorporated under the Pastorate of Rev. Dennis Scott.  In 1919 property was purchased on Church Street where the church flourished and grew under the divine guidance of the Holy Spirit.  

Rev. Statton was the first to pastor at Union on Church Street and there were thirteen pastors between 1919 and 1963 that led the flock at Union.

In 1964 under the leadership of Rev. William H. Lenior a building fund was established.  Following Rev. Lenior’s untimely passing, Rev. C. C. Tyson became the pastor.  Under his leadership our current building was erected on Crestwood Lane and consecrated in 1969.  The name was also changed to Spottswood A.M.E. Zion Church after Bishop Gil Spottswood.  There have been twelve pastors since then, including the grandson of former Union pastor, Rev. J. A. Babbington-Johnson, Bishop Darryl B. Starnes Sr.

In 2016 Rev. Jacqueline King was the first woman to pastor at Spottswood.  After serving our congregation for three years, Rev. King was appointed Presiding Elder of the Boston District in the New England Conference, in June of 2019.

In June of 2019 Rev. Samuel C. Blanks was assigned to pastor Spottswood.  Being led by the Holy Spirit, Rev. Blanks made significant impacts on the church and surrounding community.  In 2023, Rev. Blanks was assigned to pastor the Metropolitan A.M.E. Zion church in Hartford, CT.   

In 2023 The Rev. Dr. Jonathon D. Counts was assigned to serve as the current Pastor of Spottswood A. M. E. Zion church.  Upon his arrival at The Spott Rev. Dr. Counts is making a significant impact on the congregation, the A.M.E. Zion connection and the community.  In addition to his many official roles within the A.M.E. Zion connection he was recently appointed as Commissioner of the Youth and Family Services Commission for the City of New Britain, CT by Mayor Erin Stewart.                                   

The Union/Spottswood A.M.E. Zion Church has truly been blessed by God to have established an extraordinary legacy.  We are incredibly grateful to God for seeing us this far.  We know God is faithful and we look to Him to guide us on the mission of leading souls to Christ.    He is our hope…Our future!

The history of Union / Spottswood A.M.E. Zion Church

as told by Sister Catherine Vieira & Dr. Alton F. Brooks 

Bishop gill Spottswood

Bishop Spottswood was elected Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in 1952. Union was renamed to Spottswood in 1969 in his honor.

Bishop Darryl B. Starnes, Sr.

Pastor of Spottswood A.M.E. Zion Church from 1989-1991 and the grandson of former Union A.M.E. Zion pastor Rev. J.A. Babbington-Johnson. Bishop Starnes is the current Presiding Prelate for the Piedmont Episcopal District.

Rev. Dr. Jonathon D. Counts, pastor

The current Pastor of the Spottswood A. M. E. Zion Church was appointed in 2023.

Pastor Counts and first Lady Ashley

Parents to Joi, Gabrielle and Jaiden

Rev. JACQUeLINE KING, presiding elder

Presiding Elder King pastored Spottswood from 2016 to 2019 and was the first woman to pastor at "The Spott". She is currently the Presiding Elder of the Boston District in the New England Conference.

Rev. Samuel C. Blanks, pastor, Rev. Dr. Terry L. Jones Sr., presiding elder and rev. Jacqueline King, presiding elder

Appointed Pastor in 2019, Rev. Blanks (center) is greeted by Presiding Elder Jones (left) and Presiding Elder King (right) on Communion Sunday August 2019.

imperfect people risking it all to make Jesus real, one life at a time.