In 1881 Colonel and Mrs Rebecca Dishmon were inspired to establish
Brown Chapel AME Church, the second oldest black church in Joliet.

It was started in their home at 205 St. Louis Street with the help of the followering settlers :
Mr & Mrs Alex Bryant, Ms. Fannie Dishmon, Mr & Mrs Moses Gordon, Mrs. Julia Bingham,
Mrs Alice Stevenson, Mrs Katie Morse, Mrs. Rebecca Barton, Mr & Mrs Frances Blanen
and two persons known only as Mr. Henry and Mr. Tip.

The first formal service for Brown Chapel AME Church were held in a house
at Washington and Ottawa Street, Reverend Perkins was the first pastor.

On Nov. 28, 1886 the church was chartered with Will County and the State of Illinois.

The church became a part of the Chicago Annual Conference and was named for an
articulate minister, John M. Brown, an elected Bishop.

Historical information provided, indicated that a brick house adjourning a vacant lot
on the corner of Scott Street and Crowley Avenue was purchased in 1887,
with the intent to build a church. With the help of God, a wooden and brick building
was constructed by church members and Community volunteers.

One of the persons that helped build Brown Chapels first edifice was
Mr. Edward Warick, Grandfather of Mr. Freeman Warick.

The first building consisted of a full basement, with stone walls, and a dirt floor,
a large coal burning stove for heat, and His & Hers outhouses.
The Sanctuary contained six windows, wood pews, double front doors and a
large wooden porch.

The dedication of the building under the leadership of Presiding Elder Henderson,
assisted by his son (a boy preacher and orator) took place in the street
with 600 persons in attendance.

Over $2,200.00 was raised during the occasion. Records do not indicate who the Pastor was
at the time of dedication. Brown Chapel remained at this location, 313-315 N. Scott Street,
until 1948, when the land was sold to the Sears Corporation.

The Bossingham Bldg on Herkimer Street was purchased in 1948
under the leadership of Reverend David Readye.
The church was extensively remodeled in 1975 under the administration of
Reverend Emanuel C. Leak.

He was succeeded by Reverend C.D. Smalls in 1979.

In November, 1981, Reverend Walter C. Bauldrick served a brief period of
two weeks and was replaced by Reverend Lishers Mahone in November 1981.

Pastor Mahone faced a heavy indebitness from the previous remodeling project.

Under his leadership, the dedicated congregation eliminated the debt in 1990.

Brown Chapel celebrated its 109th Anniversary with the burning of the church mortgage
along with a bank note for property it had purchased on Mills Rd. and Burger Street.

With faith in God, and the Theme, "We can do all things through Christ
who Strengthens us" Phillipians 4:13.

Brown Chapel held a groundbreaking ceremony on November 1991,
Led by Bishop James Haskell Mayo, Presiding Prelate of Fourth Episcopal District.