Griffin Chapel United Methodist Church was built on a three-level foundation: First love, which is a God given light from heaven, a spark of that immortal fire which angels share. Secondly Faith, a substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen, which binds us to the infinite. Thirdly- Hope, the balm and lifeblood of the soul, which like a gleaming light beautifies and cheers our way if or when the way grows darker, that some hope presents an even brighter way. Thus, with such foundation this church has been able to endure and has kept moving forward.

During the year 1867. the Methodist and Baptist people were called together under a brush arbor. on the spot known as the old public graveyard: for the purpose of organizing a union church. After two years the Union Church was disbanded, and the plot of land was turned over for a public graveyard. The Methodists abandoned the brush arbor in 186g though the site still exists today as an African American cemetery on University Drive. a small plot of land sandwiched between a tanning salon and a photography studio: its few, small, scattered headstones contrasting with the numerous, well-kept monuments in the Odd Fellows Cemetery.

The small Methodist congregation came under the backing of the Methodist Missionary Society, which established a school for African Americans under the control of preacher/teacher Mack McLacklin. That school and the church congregation were housed in an old barn on the corner of Washington and Gillespie Streets. After teaching and preaching here for one year a permanent place was secured on the corner of Louisville and Greensboro Streets. Finally. a two-story plank building was constructed to be used as a church and school. Rev. Mack McLacklin remained one year after building this church.

During the pastorate of Rev. Ira Griffin. another building was constructed and dedicated as Griffin Chapel Methodist Church in honor of the pastor, architect, and building. In 1925. construction of the now demolished Griffin Chapel Methodist Church, the sixth building the congregation has occupied in their history. began with the laying of the foundation. The construction continued in stages over a few years. Griffin Chapel had undergone numerous changes during its eight decades, most of which occurred in a 1970 renovation.

To date, the building that stands behind where the existing church once stood is now the new church. It is only a life center and a new church will be built where the old church once stood.

              Old Church Building                                           New Church Building