NEW BOOKS

"HISTORY OF EVANS METROPOLITAN AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL ZION CHURCH:
A Chronicle of Events"

$29.95 + S&H

Book Review By: Reverend Ray P. Owens Pastor, Freedom A. M. E. Zion Church Raeford, North Carolina The book begins at the beginning; with a bio of sorts on Henry Evans affectionately called "Father Evans".  Just the fact that Henry Evans was a free black cobbler and minister and built the first Methodist Church in Fayetteville, North Carolina should be enough.  Nevertheless, the book has chronicled information regarding 'Father Evans' that is not mentioned in any of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church Denomination publications or books; suggesting areas and possibilities for further research on this great man who swam across the icy Cape Fear River three times to preach the Gospel. Evans Metropolitan Church, originally the "African Meeting House" was once the place where both blacks and whites worshiped together since the building was the first church building ever erected in Fayetteville.  The book begins at the beginning; with a bio of sorts on Henry Evans affectionately called "Father Evans".  Just the fact that Henry Evans was a free black cobbler and minister and built the first Methodist Church in Fayetteville, North Carolina should be enough.  Nevertheless, Dr. Billie has chronicled information regarding 'Father Evans' that is not mentioned in any of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church Denomination publications or books; suggesting areas and possibilities for further research on this great man who swam across the icy Cape Fear River three times to preach the Gospel. Evans Metropolitan Church, originally the "African Meeting House" was once the place where both blacks and whites worshiped together since the building was the first church building ever erected in Fayetteville. January 2, 2007