Our Name
First African Methodist Episcopal
The word African means that the church was organized by people of African descent and heritage. It does not mean that the church was founded in Africa or that it was for persons of African descent only.
The church's roots are of the family of Methodist churches. Methodism provides an orderly system of rules and regulations and places emphasis on a plain and simple gospel.
Episcopal refers to the form of government under which the church operates. The chief executive and administrative officers of the African Methodist Episcopal denomination are the Bishops of the church.
First African Methodist Episcopal Church (FAME), in Seattle, Washington is the oldest church founded by African Americans in the City. In 1886, Seaborn J. Collins organized a small Sunday school band of people who had found their way to Seattle. From humble beginnings, these pioneers of faith laid a foundation that now boasts well over 1,000 members and ministries that serve the poor and the disenfranchised, as well as an emergent middle class of multi-ethnic, social conscious, politically active, and spiritually thriving intergenerational people of faith. In addition to the church’s spiritual foundation, FAME has given birth to a housing corporation (FAME Housing Corp), children’s educational programs (Education Enhancement and FAME Child Development Center), and its most recent acquisition the MLK Family Arts Mentoring Enrichment Community Center (MLK FAME Community Center).
Built on the foundation laid by Bishop Richard Allen and the early proponents of African Methodism, FAME Church is a welcoming “place of possibilities” to everyone regardless of color, gender, or economic background. Our church is proudly led by Pastor Carey G. Anderson, a true man of God, who is happily married to First Lady Phyllis Gearring-Anderson. Together, they have a son, two daughters and two grandchildren.
You will be blessed by the Word and by Song at FAME Church, Seattle, WA.
Our History
