Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church was founded in the city of Larchmont in 1919 because Black people who were working in the area needed a place to worship. The church got its start in the Presbyterian Church in Larchmont under the pastorate of the Rev. McGuire. At this time there were no black churches in the area, but the population of Black people was increasing as many migrated north in search of work. Many performed domestic labor. Because there were no black churches in the area, many people left to go to church outside Larchmont and New Rochelle. For this reason, Emanuel A.M.E. Church was founded and incorporated on May 10, 1919. The members requested and were formally admitted to the New York Annual Conference in the First Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1920 under the leadership of Rev. J.T Washington. After serving a period of time, Rev. Washington was succeeded by Rev. James, Rev. Johns, Rev. Amos, Rev. Newby, Rev. Devale, Rev. Barrows, Rev. Gumes and Rev. Crawford.

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The original location of the church was at 65 Byron Place, Larchmont, New York. It was located in the pathway of what we now know as the New England Thruway, Route I-95. During the pastorate of Rev. Markus Robinson, the property was taken by eminent domain and the church doors at that location were closed, but the faith and perseverance of the people kept the church alive and vibrant until a new church could be built. During this period, the congregation worshiped with the fine members of Mt. Carmel A.M.E. Church at 78 Grove St. in New Rochelle. In 1960 with God’s help and much prayer, we built and moved into our beautiful present worship edifice at 21 Valley Place in New Rochelle.

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Several years later Rev. Robinson was succeeded by Rev. Burrell Jones, who was then followed by Rev. Richard Hildebrand, later the 88th Bishop of the A.M.E. Church. He had two able assistants, Rev. Thomas and Rev. Allen Hopper. In 1967 Rev. M. Shehee was appointed pastor. Under his leadership the members purchased pews for the sanctuary. In 1975 Bishop Hickman appointed Rev. Franklin Jackson, Sr. to serve as pastor. In 1979 under his pastorate the Trustees and members burned the mortgage. The church was painted inside and out and a brick bulletin was built in front of the church. In addition, a new furnace and hot water heater, new carpeting, piano and organ in the sanctuary, and new commercial stove in the kitchen were all secured. The altar was extended and a P.A. system installed. In 1991 Rev. Franklin Jackson, Sr. went home to glory and Bishop Cummings sent Rev. Charles Watkins, Jr. to be our shepherd. Rev. Watkins was succeeded by Rev. Bertha Wright, who was succeeded by Rev. Micah D. Chandler in May, 1994.

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In May 1995 Bishop Cousin appointed Rev. Leonard M. Davis to serve as pastor. The church underwent a spiritual and physical renewal during Rev. Davis’ pastorate, as a Youth Choir and Usher Board were organized and the building was painted once again. After several years, Rev. Charles Byrd followed Rev. Davis and in 2009 Bishop Richard F. Norris appointed our present pastor, Rev. Katherine P. Brooks. Under her leadership, we have replaced the windows in the sanctuary, offices and social hall. We have replaced the furnace with a new energy efficient boiler and we have purchased a church van, in which we travel all over the Conference and First Episcopal District. We have introduced a children’s ministry and regularly have between 15 and 25 participants at Children’s Church School on Saturday. We have won two attendance awards at District and Conference events. We have hosted the Brooklyn-Westchester District Church School Annual Day and we are adding to our numbers, baptizing new Christians and modeling a faithful, spiritual, Biblical, traditional, yet vibrant way of being God’s church.

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In 2015, Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram appointed the Rev. Eugene A. Minson III to serve as Pastor. Under his leadership, we have taken Bible Study to Park Place housing complex. We traveled to City Hall with Park Place tenant’s association to help in the fight for fair housing rights. We started a prayer line ministry three times per week @6:30am. We have continued our vibrant inclusive Saturday Children Church School, and Nursing Home Ministry. We won the 2015 attendance award at the Brooklyn-Westchester District Sunday School Annual Day. In April 2016, Bro. John Barnes became the first Annual Conference licensed Evangelist member. We replaced the rear side door in the sanctuary and painted the outside walls of the church. For 96 years Emanuel has been serving the Lord with gladness. “To God be the glory for the great things He has done”!

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At the close of the First Episcopal District Planning Meeting on June 15, 2019, Bishop Gregory G.M. Ingram appointed the Reverend Adunnola Waterman French to serve as the Pastor of Emanuel AME Church. We are grateful to Almighty God for this new journey knowing that we are “Emanuel: The Church Called To Make A Difference and God Is With Us!”