Adams Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church was founded by Rev. Velma Hayden. The first organizational meeting was held December 30, 1976 at the home of Frederick and Velma Hayden, 3215 Longview Drive, Killeen, Texas for the purpose of forming a church in the Harker Heights area. Attending the meeting were Rev. and Mrs. Arthur Anders, Mr. and Mrs. Leroy Johns, Clifton Carouthers, Mattie Buckner, Pearl Braggs, Henry Daniels, Lewis Smith, Charlie Brown, Thomas Todd, and Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Hayden.

 

The first name selected for the church was Dolly’s Chapel AME Church in honor of Bishop Adams’ wife. And, at the dedicatory services conducted by Bishop Adams, the Episcopal Supervisor, Sis. Adams requested that the name be changed to reflect the team effort of Bishop Adams and family.

 

The second meeting of the founder and the chartered members was held on the 7th of January 1977, to complete the organization. The first service was conducted January 16, 1977 with 16 in attendance for Sunday school and 23 for the worship service. One-year and three months worship service was held at Lodge 442. On the 15th of February 1978, Rev. Velma Hayden and three trustees, Sis. Mattie Buckner, Bro. Frederic Hayden, and Sis. Novis Willis signed a promissory note purchasing the building we are now in at 125 East Arlo Road, Harker Heights, Texas.

 

On June 4, 1978, Adams Chapel A.M.E. church was dedicated by Bishop John Hurst Adams and Presiding Elder F.D. Thomas. Under the Bishop H.W. Murph and Presiding Elder I.G. Greene, Rev. D.D. Gipson was appointed to Adams Chapel from October 2, 1982 to January 24, 1983. Rev. Velma Hayden was appointed back to Adams Chapel A.M.E. Church January 24, 1983 where she served until October 3, 1987, at that time in the One Hundred and Fourth Annual Conference Session, under the leadership of Bishop Rembert E. Stokes, on October 3, 1987, the Rev. George Johnson Jr. was appointed to Adams Chapel where he served until April 18, 1992. On April 26, 1992, Rev. William A. Forbes Jr. was appointed by Bishop John R. Bryant, and he served until November 11, 2007. On November 18, 2007, Bishop Gregory G.M. Ingram appointed Rev. Benita K. Hill, where she served until 2016. In November 2016, Bishop Vashti McKenzie appointed Rev. Silas Swint as pastor until November 2023. In November 2023, Bishop A. J. Richardson appointed Rev. Dr. Eddie Ellis, Jr., as pastor. to the present.