Welcome to Greater Garth AME Church,
where we meet you right where you are.
Our mission is to know God, seek out the lost, liberate the oppressed and serve those in need.
Join us as we share the love, joy, and peace that comes from knowing Jesus Christ and experience the salvation that transforms lives.
We look forward to walking this journey of faith together.
Our Pastor
Dr. Challis Bradford
Rev. Dr. Challis Bradford is a student, prayer warrior, Preacher, Psalmist, Teacher, and the servant-leader Pastor to the faith community of Greater Garth African Methodist Episcopal Church in Dallas, Texas.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a focus in Accounting and a Master of Business Administration with a focus in Finance from Letourneau University. She also holds a Master of
Divinity with a focus in Social Justice and Theology from Perkins School of Theology on the campus of Southern Methodist University. Additionally, she has a Doctor of Ministry degree from Payne Theological Seminary.
GGC Church History
Out of a deep desire to meet the needs of a developing African-American community, Greater Garth Chapel AME Church was birthed from the spirit of Mrs. Fannie Garth in early 1912. Down on Bexar and Anderson Streets in South Dallas the Son of God was shining upon this small congregation, which focused on ministering primarily to women and children.
With a donation of lumber, Mrs. Fannie Garth and the members worked with their hands and received labor donations to complete the first church on May 16, 1912 at 2530 Anderson Street. There the church continued to thrive and prosper under different leaders and through difficult times. In the late 1950’s under the leadership of Reverend E. F. Hutcheson, and expansionary new vision began to be birthed. The church needed to be enlarged in its present location or move to another site.
In 1959 the present site on Carpenter Avenue was secured. With just a small house on the back lot, the pastor and members broke ground on a 400-seat sanctuary and administration wing in early 1960.
One of the amazing historical notes mentioned at the ground-breaking was that the church leadership was already making plans to build two additional units: a Recreation Center and an Education Building for adult education.
On Sunday, June 18, 1961 Reverend Hutcheson along with the officers and members presented the church for dedication by Bishop William Franklin Ball, the Presiding Bishop of the Tenth Episcopal District. Today, the church continues to grow and thrive at this location on nearly an acre of land. In 1978 the church acquired a house on its west side.
The Fannie E. Garth Community House presently serves as a ministry center for the Community Kitchen and Community Closet ministries as well as the Christian Education Ministries of the Church.