More than a century after its doors first opened, Green Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church remains a place where history, faith, and community meet.
Built in 1914 by and for Black Mainers, the church is the oldest Black church in Maine and the third-oldest African meetinghouse in the United States. For generations, it has served as a sanctuary for Black Mainers seeking dignity, belonging, and spiritual refuge. Today, as Maine’s immigrant communities continue to grow, the church has expanded that mission, welcoming people from many backgrounds into a space rooted in hospitality and hope.
Leading that mission is Reverend Kenneth Lewis, who has served as pastor of Green Memorial since 2003. During a conversation with Amjambo Africa at Burundi Star Coffee in Portland, Lewis reflected on his calling to ministry, the church’s enduring role in the community, and the importance of building stronger relationships between African immigrants and African Americans.
For Lewis, ministry has always been about more than preaching. Ministry is about helping people find hope, purpose, and connection.
“I think my calling was to bring hope to hopelessness, faith to faithlessness, joy to joylessness and to cultivate community,” he said.
That commitment has guided his work for more than two decades, both inside the church and throughout greater Portland. Known for his involvement in community initiatives and conversations around racial justice, Lewis believes some of the greatest challenges facing communities today cannot be solved through policy alone. Solutions require relationships.
One relationship he believes deserves greater attention is that between African immigrants and African Americans. Although both communities often face discrimination and racism, Lewis said they also bring different histories, cultures, and lived experiences. Too often, those differences are overlooked, creating misunderstandings instead of opportunities for connection.
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“The key is inviting each other to the table,” he said.
Lewis believes meaningful dialogue begins with recognizing culture, not simply race. Many African immigrants arrive in the United States without fully understanding the historical legacy of slavery and systemic racism that continues to shape the lives of African Americans. Likewise, African Americans may know little about the cultural traditions, histories, and experiences immigrants carry with them.
Rather than allowing those differences to become barriers, Lewis believes communities should treat their differences as opportunities to learn from one another. He said both communities share many of the same values, including a deep commitment to family, resilience, and caring for future generations. Focusing on those commonalities, he advises, offers a stronger foundation for unity than dwelling on differences.
Recent immigration enforcement actions have only heightened the need for trust, Lewis said. As many immigrant families navigate uncertainty and fear, Lewis said community leaders must think differently about how they build relationships.
Formal meetings and public forums, while important, are not always where trust begins. Many newcomers have fled violence, persecution, or governments they could not safely engage with, making official spaces feel intimidating rather than welcoming.
Instead, Lewis believes trust is built through ordinary acts of hospitality. He said, “Have you ever sat at a community table?… That’s where you start if you want to get to know someone.” For Lewis, sharing a meal, listening without judgment, and spending time together often accomplish more than formal discussions ever could.
That philosophy reflects the role Green Memorial Church has played throughout its history.
The African Methodist Episcopal Zion denomination extends well beyond Maine, with congregations across the United States and in countries and areas including Nigeria, South Africa, India, the Caribbean, Belgium, and the United Kingdom. Throughout American history, abolitionists and civil rights leaders such as Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, and Sojourner Truth were connected to the denomination, reinforcing its longstanding commitment to justice and equality. At Green Memorial, that legacy continues every Sunday.
The church offers more than worship services. It provides a place where people can celebrate, grieve, seek guidance, and find community regardless of where they come from. For many, it is one of the few places where they can simply be themselves. “You want to feel safe. That’s what our church has been. It’s been a safe haven, “said Lewis.
According to Lewis, institutions like Green Memorial remain essential because they nurture both individual healing and collective strength. At a time when communities across the country are grappling with political division, economic uncertainty, and growing anxiety, he sees the church as a reminder that hope is built through human connection.
His vision extends beyond the congregation itself. He hopes Green Memorial can continue serving as a bridge between longtime Black residents and newer immigrant communities, creating opportunities for people to learn from one another rather than remain separated by misunderstanding.
For Lewis, that work begins with a simple but profound belief: communities are strongest when people see one another as family. As the conversation came to a close, he offered a message that reflects both his ministry and the church’s enduring mission. “We’re family. If we’re not family — become family. And then after we become family, be family.”
More than 110 years after Green Memorial Church first welcomed worshippers, that invitation remains as relevant as ever.
Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in the early August 2026 print edition of Amjambo Africa.
