Vision & Mission
Our VISION
To be Bold Disciples Evangelizing our Community with the love of Jesus Christ holding to strong biblical values, faithfulness and a heart for service.
Our MISSION
To know, share and build upon God’s love to impact lives through effective and relevant teaching and preaching the message of salvation.
Our History
The Lincoln Park community in which the Seaton Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Church is located had its origins against the background of the Jim Crow laws which were in effect during the first part of this century. One of the social results of Jim Crow was the establishment of separate communities and housing developments for Black Americans.
By 1904, the Lincoln Land and Improvement Company of Washington, DC became active in the sale of property in this community to Black people. By 1908, as a few families built homes and moved into the Lincoln Park community, it became apparent that the institution so important to Black development – the church – was needed. The families that recognized this need met on Sundays in different homes and on occasion in the park.
At first the services were very informal in nature. Then in 1911, the Reverend J.W. Durham, a traveling A.M.E. minister, introduced the small group to the theological discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
The land upon which the original church stood was secured in 1913 from the Lincoln Land and Improvement Company. However, the first church building was not entered until 1922 under the pastorate of Rev. W.H. Brown.
In the early 1970’s under the guidance of Rev. Mack Bell, a determined thrust toward creating a building took shape, and in 1977, Rev. H. Michael Lemmons was appointed to Seaton Memorial with the building of a new church as his highest priority. On April 4, 1982, ground was broken for the new building and on March 25, 1984, the Dedicatory Service for the new Seaton Memorial A.M.E. Church took place.
Reverend Ronald A. Boykin was appointed as the Pastor of Seaton Memorial AME Church in April 2014, with Sister Helen A. Boykin serving alongside him as First Lady. Reverend Boykin retired from pastoral duties in April 2025 but continued to minister and actively participate in church activities at Seaton Memorial until July 2025.
In July 2025, Reverend Louis M. Kelly was appointed as the Pastor of Seaton Memorial AME Church, bringing his deep experience and leadership to the congregation. He is joined by his first lady, Sister Sheila L. Kelly. Reverend Kelly was appointed during the Second Episcopal District of the AME Church Summer Summit and has a distinguished history of service and pastoral appointments within the AME Church.