When I was in Washington DC last month to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the March on Washington I attended church at Metropolitan AME in downtown DC. I was a guest at a special event at Metropolitan and had an opportunity to visit a conference room where portraits of past AME Bishops were on display. According to my tour guide, Metropolitan has had more pastors elected Bishop than any other church in our Connection. This statement is subject to check. I didn't know that Bishop aspirant Frank Madison Reid's grand father also pastored Metropolitan. After eating my normal share of food and drink, an intriguing portrait of Bishop Lawrence H. Hemingway immediately caught my eye. It's fascinating that one of the greatest writers of 20th century American literature also bears the same surname as the 65th consecrated AME Bishop. Does anyone have any special information about this particular Bishop? Oh, by the way, the current pastor of Metropolitan, Rev. Ronald Braxton, looks just like the comic actor Cedric the Entertainer. I'm sure he has been told this a lot. I should know since I look like Wesley Snipes :-) QED

-- Anonymous, September 18, 2003

Answers

Sir -

Bishop Hemingway is a native of the nation state of SC. If you can get your hands on the Bicentennial book that Bishop James published which the bishop of SC, it has a good article of Bishop Hemingway. This is the book that contains histories of many of the churches in SC, bios of bishops and general Officers with connections to SC and other great facts about the AME Church in SC and in the south. Hope this helps.

-- Anonymous, September 19, 2003

The following is taken from the Bicentennial Tribute to African Methodism published in 1987 by the DMC.

HEMMINGWAY, RT. REV. LAWRENCE HENRY, Consecrated Sixty-fifth Bishop of AMEC in 1948. Born in Conway, SC June 5, 1884. Attended public schools in his hometown and Allen University, Pastor and Presiding Elder in South Carolina Conferences; successful businessman and church builder. In 1948 was assigned to the 2nd District. Liquidated the indebtedness of a number of A.M.E. Churches from profits of his business, Union Premium Candy Company. Twice married and the father of seven children. Deceased November 30, 1954.

-- Anonymous, September 21, 2003

I posted too soon and didn't catch the extra "m". the correct spelling is Hemingway, with one "m" instead of two.

-- Anonymous, September 21, 2003

Myron/Bob -

Many Thanks for the information. Bishop Hemingway's business acumen definitely was an asset which he transferred to church finance issues. Now based on the portrait I saw in Metropolitan AME, Bishop Hemingway looks to be a distinguished looking white male. I would guess that he was a mulatto. Is my observation correct? QED

-- Anonymous, September 21, 2003

If Rev. Ronald Braxton is pastor of Metropolitan, where is Dr. Louis Charles Harvey. He was pastor when I visit Metropolitan a few years ago. A small irony, Metropolitan is immediately next door, or just behind (depending on your point of view) of the American Chemical Society, the parent of the company from which I retired a few years ago. Their expansion caused some problems in the foundation at Metropolitan.

-- Anonymous, September 23, 2003

You asked about Rev. Louis Charles Harvey. He's now the Presiding Elder in the 2nd District, Washington Conference, Potomac District. He replaced Elder Manning a few years ago.

-- Anonymous, September 23, 2003