The History of Leake Temple African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
Our proud legacy began with the People's Church of Faith, in Anchorage, Alaska founded by Rev. Dr. Theodore A. Moore. Leake Temple AME Zion Church was founded October 1973 after the congregation of the Peoples Church of Faith voted unanimously to unite with the AME Zion Connection. The Church was received by a delegation which consisted of Bishop George Leake, Rev. Robert Graham, and Rev. Dr. L. J. Thompson. Rev. Moore was appointed as pastor, and the church was commissioned as Leake Temple AME Zion Church and assigned to the California Conference.
The General Conference, held in Chicago in 1976, designated Alaska a Missionary Conference with Leake Temple AME Zion Church as the only Society, where Rev. Moore was assigned Presiding Elder. At that time Leake Temple was also without a permanent edifice. Most church officers immediately began wearing several hats in order to meet the requirements of District Officers for the Conference. There was very little complaining, but a lot of dedication and hard work to keep up with national requirements, while at the same time teaching the congregation Methodist doctrine.We had been a non-denominational church for two years prior to the time the members voted to affiliate with then A.M.E. Zion Church.
Many who started with us have moved onto others pursuits, some have fallen asleep and some are still here to see one of Bishop Leake’s favorite sayings come to fruition, “God can make a way out of no way.”
