Church History
Walls Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church was founded by the late Reverend
Rudolph L. Wells along with a Christian group of faithful followers on November 7, 1948. On
that memorable day it was the will of God that the Trinity A.M.E. Zion Church held its first
Sunday School and worship service. The first place of worship was at the Seventh Day Adventist
Church located at 130 Northland Ave., which was the first African Methodist Episcopal Zion
Church in the Cold Spring area.
Our membership continued to grow during those early years until we needed a larger church
home. It was in June, 1951 that we moved our services to the United Methodist Church on
Northland and Masten – the first inter-racial movement in this area. That church is known as
Lincoln Memorial.
On April 16, 1953 we moved again to the United Brethren on Masten and Laurel Streets, while
waiting for an available church in this area.
In 1955 the present location, 455 Glenwood Ave. was purchased and became the new home for Trinity A.M.E. Zion Church. At the Western New York Annual Conference held that same year the name was changed to Walls Memorial A.M.E.Zion Church in recognition of Bishop William Jacob Wall’s efforts in establishing another A.M.E. Zion Church in Buffalo. The congregation moved into its new home on October 27, 1955.
Under the leadership of Reverend James T. Hemphill, many activities and programs were implemented which benefited the church and the community. These programs included: a nursery school with Mrs. Fanny D. Williams as Director. This was the impetus for the first federally Funded Head Start Program in the country. Walls had various team sports, a Drum & Bugle and Majorette Corp, a very successful athletic program which was the first of its kind in Buffalo housed in a church. The ministry opened its doors to countless young people whose lives were blessed and many today still have fond memories of Walls Memorial. The burning of the mortgage took place in eleven short years on October 16, 1966. To God be
the glory!
Walls Memorial continues to be committed to the Great Commission of our Lord, “…go and
make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with
you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:19-20