About Us

Church History

In 1898, Henderson Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church was organized under the leadership of Bishop B.W. Arnette. The bishop commissioned Rev. Bridges to organize an A.M.E. Church in Wellsburg. Rev. Bridges, missionaries John and Crissy Mashon, and a group of local people attended that first meeting. The first assigned minister was a Rev. Henderson. Property was purchased at 1311-1313 Commerce Street in Wellsburg, and services were held in this small building for the first 59 years. The church was named for the first pastor, Rev. Henderson.

In 1956, the State Highway Commission contacted the Trustees of Henderson Chapel and Pastor W.H. Harris about buying the Church property for the new highway (Route 2-Commerce Street).

The Henderson Chapel A.M.E. trustees purchased the present building at the corner of 4th and Main Street (river front property) in 1957. The church was dedicated, and the cornerstone was laid by the Masonic Lodge of Wellsburg in 1959. Henderson Chapel has survived fires and floods. “Just like a tree that’s planted by the water…I shall Not be moved”…The most recent flooding occurred in January of 1996.