Our Mission
Our mission is to foster the social, spiritual, and physical development of individuals, our community, and all people. By familiarizing residents of Farmington Hills and surrounding areas to the abundant and generous works of God, we aim to enrich the lives and spirits of our families and communities through the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
The African Methodist Episcopal Church
The A.M.E. Church came out of the Free African Society (FAS), which was founded in 1787 by Richard Allen, Absalom Jones, and others in Philadelphia. In 1794, Bethel AME was dedicated with Richard Allen as pastor. Allen successfully sued in 1807 and 1815 for Bethel’s right to operate independently. The AME clergy was able to evangelize freed slaves during and after the Civil War, expanding the church’s presence in Georgia, Florida, Alabama, and Texas. Bishop Henry M. Turner extended AME influence to Africa, establishing churches in Liberia and Sierra Leone and South Africa in the 1890’s, and now the AME Church has a presence in thirty-nine countries across five continents. Learn more about the history of the AME church at the link below.
Our History
First A.M.E. church began in 2015, when Rev. John H. Burns II and Rev. Dr. Patricia Coleman-Burns began ministering in Farmington Hills. At the time, the A.M.E. Church had little presence in the Farmington, Farmington Hills, Novi, Plymouth, Livonia and Northville areas.
The Notable North District
First A.M.E. of Farmington Hills is one of 24 churches within the Notable North District of the Michigan Conference. The Notable North District is the fourth Episcopal District of the A.M.E. Church. Since August of 2021, we have been under the leadership of Rev. Larry James Bell, the Presiding Elder of the Notable North District, and District Consultant Rev. DaNita M. Ward-Bell. Learn more about the Notable North District at the link below.
Our Pastor
Rev. Dr. Patricia Coleman-Burns has been a dedicated member of the African Methodist Episcopal Church for over twenty years, investing her intellect, wisdom, and love to the community. She has served the community with her dedication to advocacy, social justice, working within the AME church, ushering programs for women’s ministry, cultural recognition and celebration, and the Beloved Community Initiative. Learn more about our pastor at the link below.
In Memory of our Founder
The Late Founding Pastor, Rev. John H. Burns II, was dedicated to creating a beloved community and fighting against Racism, forming the Beloved Community Initiative in 2018. Rev. John H. Burns II’s vision persists, and we remain dedicated to his goals of activism, social responsibility, and commitment to our community. Each year, we celebrate his life and dedication to the community during the J. H. Burns II Beloved Community
First AME of Farmington Hills 