150 Years of Witness
One Enduring Voice
For 150 years, The Star of Zion has been the trusted voice of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church—connecting, informing, and inspiring Zionites across generations.
Message for our 150th Year
The Star of Zion is the official newspaper of The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church — one of the oldest continuously published Black religious newspapers in America. Since 1876, it has chronicled the life of the Church in ink: its preaching, its leaders, its debates, its missions, and its witness in every era.
For 150 years, The Star of Zion has been more than a publication. It rose during Reconstruction, spoke through Jim Crow, marched alongside the Civil Rights Movement, and carried the voice of Black Methodism into the modern day. Generations of bishops, pastors, and lay leaders have shaped its pages — and been shaped by them.
To The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, The Star of Zion is memory and mission in print. It connects the connectional Church across conferences and continents, preserves the story of a people called to freedom, and continues to declare what Zion has always declared: God is moving, the Church is alive, and the work goes on.
150th Anniversary Campaign
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Celebrating 150 Years
Featured stories and reflections from our anniversary year
ENC Episcopal District Holds Powerful Winter Convocation Despite Winter Storm Challenges
By Rev. Jessica M. Franks Despite a closely monitored winter storm that swept across the United States, bringing heavy snow, ice, and dangerously cold conditions, the Eastern North Carolina Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church gathered in faith and unity for its Winter Convocation held at Simon Temple A.M.E. Zion Church in…
Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson Calls the Church Back to Covenant and Purpose in New Book, Never Lost: The Black Church as God’s Ark of the Covenant
“Together let us lift up the witness of the Church and continue to carry the Ark forward.”” Dr. Richardson Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson invites congregations, pastors, and ministry leaders across the nation to embrace a timely and prophetic new work, Never Lost: The Black Church as God’s Ark of the Covenant. In a cultural moment…
Youth Partner with the Star of Zion to Celebrate 150 Years of Black Literacy
By Da’Tarvia Parrish As the Star of Zion marks 150 years of bearing witness to Black faith, intellect, and excellence, a new generation is stepping forward to turn the page. Youth across The A.M.E. Zion Church are carrying this sacred literary legacy into the present through a vibrant month-long initiative called Black & Beautiful Bedtime…
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