Though the Moravians seemed to dominate the local religious scene during the 18th and early 19th centuries, the missionary influence of other Protestant groups is evident to this day. Scores of churches formed during Reconstruction — Baptist, Methodist, A.M.E., Presbyterian — were the grass-root efforts of the freed slaves. Congregational life provided comfort and basic education. Then, as the African American community matured, the tremendous growth and unique character of each church became hallmarks of religious freedom.

The Bethania Moravian Church organized its enslaved into a separate society in 1844 and oversaw the building of a log church where services were held for the next 40 years. The congregation was reorganized in 1875 as Bethania A.M.E. Zion Church by Rev. A.T. Goslen, who is believed to have been the first African American pastor in the region.

In 1879, Rev. George W. Holland came from Virginia to establish First Baptist Church. Under his stewardship, the congregation raised a modest frame church, which was not replaced by brick and stained glass until 1902. Some 40 years later, the congregation moved to its present location and built an annex in 1968. George W. Holland Homes, an apartment complex for the elderly, is dedicated to the leadership of that parish pioneer, who also established Mount Zion Baptist Church in 1889.

Goler Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church was established in 1881. Services were held in the Forsyth County Courthouse and elsewhere until 1886, when Dr. W.H. Goler donated land, which is the present site of the church. Goler, instrumental in establishing the church, did serve as pastor for a brief time. He was equally influential as an early real estate developer of Depot Street.

Lloyd Presbyterian Church was founded in 1886. Sunday school and services were held in Citizens' Hall until 1894, when a church was constructed on its present site. Lloyd Presbyterian provided classrooms, while Depot Street School struggled for funding, and afterwards maintained an elementary school on its grounds until 1934. The Historic Properties Commission and the Winston-Salem Board of Aldermen named Lloyd Presbyterian Church a historic site in 1981.

In 1892, Jordan Foy organized Mount Pleasant Methodist Church because worshippers headed for St. Paul's would often gather at his shop when the weather turned bad. The gatherers included the families of H.A. Spencer and George Black.

St. James A.M.E. Church grew out of door-to-door class meetings popularized in 1877. The church was formally organized in 1882. With the support of bishops and general officers of the A.M.E. church, the new parish continued to be a force for social change in education and public office.

St. Paul United Methodist Church was loosely organized by a group until a Sunday school formed in 1871. It wasn't until 1879 that St. Paul moved to its present site. St. Paul also provided classrooms for Depot Street School and, under the guidance of Rev. Jefferson D. Diggs, published the first African American newspaper in Winston-Salem, the Holiness Review.

St. Philips Moravian Church, the nation's oldest African American Moravian congregation, was established by the Salem Female Missionary Society in 1822. The newly reconstructed 1823 log church, the newly restored 1861 brick St. Philips Moravian Church and burial ground opened to the public in May 2003. The brick church is among the oldest standing African American churches in the South. This site is located in Old Salem on South Church Street and is included on the National Register of Historic Places.




Bethania A.M.E. Zion Church, 1705 Bethania-Rural Hall Road, 336.924.1706
Bethlehem A.M.E. Zion Church, 6475 Yadkinville Road, Pfafftown, 336.945.2221
Center Grove Baptist Church, 8200 Center Grove Church Road, 336.766.5727
First Baptist Church, 700 Highland Avenue, 336.722.5605
First Waughtown Baptist Church, 838 Moravia Street, 336.784.7386
Goler Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church, 630 N. Patterson Avenue, 336.724.9411
Greater Cleveland Avenue Christian Church, 5095 Lansing Drive, 336.661.0226
Lloyd Presbyterian Church, 748 Chestnut Street
Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, 795 Crawford Place N.W., 336.725.9623
Mount Zion Baptist Church, 950 File Street N.E., 336.722.2325
New Bethel Baptist Church, 1016 N. Trade Street, 336.724.1824
New Hope A.M.E. Church, 7000 Shallowford Road, Lewisville, 336.945.9083
John Wesley A.M.E. Zion Church, 1800 E. 25th Street, 336.723.5453
Piney Grove Baptist Church, 4715 Indiana Avenue, 336.767.4044
Red Bank Baptist Church, 6592 Baux Mountain Road, 336.767.2592
Rising Ebenezer Baptist Church, 900 Free Street, 336.723.7860
Saints Home United Methodist Church, 1390 Thurmond Street, 336.724.2514
Shiloh Baptist Church, 916 E. 12th Street, 336.724.9263
St. James A.M.E. Church, 1501 Patterson Avenue, 336.724.3865
St. Paul United Methodist Church, 2400 Dellabrook Road, 336.723.4531
St. Philips Moravian Church, 3002 Bon Air Avenue, 336.722.3933


For information about Winston-Salem's 360 active religious organizations — churches, temples and mosques — please refer to listings by denomination in the local telephone directory.

Winston-Salem offers more than 360 places of worship including more than 40 Protestant denominations, six Catholic churches, 25 Moravian churches, two synagogues, a Greek Orthodox church, a Baha'i Center, an Islamic temple, and just about every other denomination. To find a religious organization, check the telephone directory.


*All addresses Winston-Salem, unless noted otherwise.