AME Church

Three and a half years after an electrical fire from a downed wire destroyed its historic bell tower, the Allen African-Methodist-Episcopal (AME) Church is on the cusp of renovation and restoration. Built in 1888, the church is an historic landmark that embodies the struggle of Black Americans for freedom and equality and has supported the national church’s model of providing help to the community. It is their hope that the church will be restored to provide a permanent home for the East Lynne Theatre Company, a professional theatre company, whose mission is to bring the American Spirit to the stage with its blend of premieres and timeless classics. Stages, along with Mills + Schnoering Architects, provided a concept study in 2022.