Community Gathers as Grant Chapel AME Marks 139 Years of Service

Grant Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church is set to unveil a Louisiana state historical marker on Saturday, July 19, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., followed by a community reception. This tribute acknowledges the church’s remarkable 139-year history as a vital institution in the Amite community. Founded in 1886, Grant Chapel has served as a sanctuary, refuge, and pillar of guidance for generations of Black Americans in Tangipahoa Parish. Rev. Herman O. Kelly Jr., the church’s pastor, underscored its importance for future generations, noting that Grant Chapel is both a sanctuary and a place of worship. The initiative for the marker stemmed from Rev. Kelly’s attendance at a similar unveiling honoring Rev. Arthur Tasker in Ponchatoula. Local historian Antoinette Harrell played a crucial role in the application process, gathering significant historical documents and photographs. Contributions from church members were essential in meeting the May 17 deadline established by the Louisiana Office of the Lieutenant Governor’s Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism. The community is invited to the unveiling at 317 W. Oak Street in Amite.