About McElrath Chapel AME Church
Our Mission
At McElrath Chapel AME Church , the Word of God is our focus and everybody is somebody. Our church is a small congregation of believers, committed to serving our Lord, Jesus Christ, spreading His Gospel to our neighbors and to the world, and equipping Christians to do His work. The growth of our church depends upon all the members spiritually, economically and physically. Worshiping, Praying, Preaching, Praising, and Singing is what the members of McElrath Chapel AME Church do.
Our History
McElrath Chapel AME Church located at 2714 Jamestown Road in Morganton, North Carolina. Established in 1874, when the deed to the trustees was signed over, McElrath Chapel AME Church has been a cornerstone of our community for over 150 years. Among the trustees was James McElrath, an former slave who was allowed to travel to California to earn wages for his freedom. He returned to Morganton, North Carolina and settled there as a free man. The area near McElrath Chapel AME Church is known as "Jim-town", named after James McElrath.
We have a rich history of serving others and sharing the message of Christ with all who will listen. Black and White people would meet at McElrath Campground Annual Meeting. Marriages took place at McElrath Chapel as early as 1899. A church built in 1932 still stands on the grounds today.
The cemetery has been in existence for well over 100 years and is well-maintained and still used today.
Our Leadership
Rev. Jacqueline Robertson is the pastor of McElrath Chapel AME Church , Morganton, North Carolina. She was born in Dayton, Ohio to the late Rev. Charles H. Shyne, Jr. and Mrs. Verlena P. Shyne.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Secondary Education and Communications from the University of Detroit, in Detroit, Michigan. She also earned a Master of Pastoral Counseling degree from Ashland Theological Seminary in Ashland, Ohio. She holds a master’s degree in Library and Information Science from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan.
She is a retired educator from Detroit Public Schools and Charlotte Mecklenburg Public Schools, with a combined thirty-seven years of teaching experience.
Pastor Robertson accepted her call to preach in 2000 while attending Oak Grove AME Church, under the leadership of Pastor Gregory G. M. Ingram, now retired Bishop Ingram. She was ordained an Itinerant Elder in 2004. In 2009, Pastor Robertson moved to Charlotte, North Carolina and joined Adams Metropolitan AME Church. She was asked to serve as interim pastor in 2010. In June 2011, she was appointed pastor of Adams Metropolitan AME Church. Rev. Robertson was appointed pastor of New Covenant AME in 2014 under the leadership of Bishop William P. DeVeaux, Sr. In May 2024, she was appointed as the pastor of McElrath Chapel AME Church.
She is married to Michael Robertson and they have two daughters, Jennifer Robertson and Rev. Janis Thomas and a son-in-law, Rev. Justin Thomas.
Pastor Robertson and Mr. Robertson are the proud grandparents of five grandchildren. Rev. Robertson stands on the promises of God and trust Him to deliver, heal and strengthen in every season.
Our Leadership
STEWARDS
Tim Shade- Pro Tem
Jennell Corpening
Clarence Davis III
Chris Ferguson
Sandra Largent
Esther Lytle
Ruby McDowell
Alfreda McElrath
Vanya McElrath
Annette McKesson
Christine Thomas
**David Bryant - Emertius
TRUSTEES
Jerry Thomas- Pro Tem
Hubert Hardy
Tommy Hardy
Helen McDowell
Angelia McElrath
Ivan Ray McElrath
Bruce McKesson
Jim Thomas
Pearl Thomas
***Walter Poole- Emeritus
Join Us
Help Our Cause
Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals and fund our mission.
congratulations to OUR WMS QUEEN VANYA MCELRATH!!!
