The Opening of Melbourne Founders Museum at Crane Creek
And Greater Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church 140th Anniversary
By Ralph Newell
When I read or hear about Melbourne and Crane Creek, it is like a Historical Mosaic Tapestry of events all happening about the same time by the Grace of God. WOW! Let me help you unpack what took place during the last week of Black History Month (February) in Melbourne, Florida, formerly Crane Creek. The Opening of The Melbourne Founders Museum at Crane Creek and Greater Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church 140th Anniversary were no coincident but by the providence of God. What a powerful celebration this was.
It was in 1867 that three Black freedmen settled along Crane Creek. That was 158 years ago when Wright Brothers, Peter wright, and Balaam Allen received property along the north and south sides of Crane Creek. The 1880 census of Brevard recorded that only five black men had families and three of them were Wright, Allen, and Brothers. Peter Wright was known as Captain Peter Wright because he was a mail carrier. He delivered mail by boat from Titusville to Crane Creek.
The Historical Mosaic and Tapestry continues: 141 years ago, in a tiny house owned by Wright and Mary Brothers, on the southern banks of Crane Creek, Robert and Carrie Lipscomb, Balaam and Salina Allen met for the purpose of organizing a place of worship. Wright and Mary Brother’s home was the first house of worship. It was 140 years ago when this small group of believers organized as Allen Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church. The church was named after Bishop Richard Allen the First elected and Consecrated Bishop of the A.M.E. Church (1816) Philadelphia, Pa.
Is not this Historical Mosaic Tapestry a mighty work by the hand of God using people to tell the story of what can be done when they follow his call? February 22, 2025 was the Melbourne Founders Museum’s Grand Opening to the public. It was a time of excitement and great joy as well. Over 100 persons came to hear the founding history of Melbourne-Crane Creek, and Allen Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church.
The presentation was held in the Charles W. Jackson, Sr. Annex at 2416 S. Lipscomb St. which is a part of Greater Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church. The current Pastor Rev. Cheryl P. Wilcox was the host. A power point and slide highlight were shown by The Greater Allen Development Corporation’s (GADC) Financial Secretary Ms. Mary Johnson, Mr. James Shackleford is the GADC President.
A Documentary “Moving History” was shown, historical facts were given and then the ribbon cutting by Presiding Elder Lorenzo Laws who originally initiated the gathering of the facts and the founding of GADC. You may watch this documentary by going on the internet to GADC The Greater Allen Development Corp.Org or “Moving History” Saving our Past for our future or Melbourne Founder’s Museum at Crane Creek. This film explores the journey of the founding families of Melbourne and their descendants. It emphasizes their strength and resilience, and their profound faith in God. the Documentary features historical narratives by Presiding Elders Laws, Charles W. Jackson, Sr., Ms. Lizetta Southern, and Joseph McNeil.
The uniqueness and beauty of this Historical Mosaic Tapestry is more than ironic. In 1885, the first church structure for Allen Chapel A.M.E. was built on the northern end of Lipscomb Street. In 1964 a new edifice was built at 2416 South Lipscomb Street and the church was renamed Greater Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church.
What happened to the “tiny house church” the first place of worship which was the home of Wright and Mary Brothers. The Powerful Vision of God did not die. The first house of worship remained at 2310-1/2 Lipscomb Street for many years. Ownership had changed many times. St. Stephens Way, a local provider of affordable housing, donated the house to GADC in 2019 and in 2020 the Corporation relocated it to 1001 Brothers Avenue.
The First house of worship now faces west just across from the front of Greater Allen Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church which faces East. The north side of each building faces Crane Creek which is the founding place of both Melbourne and Allen Chapel. There is a song that is a Negro spiritual that says “Everything moves by the power of God.”
The Historic Mosaic Tapestry by the Divine hands of God continues to show how majestic he is. Northrop Grumman, a Collaborative Partner, and so many others have made the Grand Opening possible. The historic house has been renovated, restored, and repurposed as The Melbourne Founders Museum at Crane Creek. Its authenticity remains as intact as possible. The museum highlights the culture and history of local Black and other ethnicities and the roles they played in the development of Crane Creek, now known as Melbourne, Florida. Crane Creek was renamed Melbourne shortly after 1878.
140TH ANNIVERSARY OF GREATER ALLEN CHAPEL AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 2416 SOUTH LIPSCOMB STREET, MELBOURNE, FLORIDA. Generations of Faith: Celebrating 140 years Together was the theme on February 23, 2025. Psalm145:4 “One generation will commend your works to another, they will tell of your mighty acts.” Bishop Marvin C. Zanders II, Presiding Prelate, Mrs. Winifred Houston Zanders, Episcopal Supervisor, The Rev. Dr. Lorenzo Laws, Presiding Elder, Mrs. Gertie Lutricia Laws, Consultant, The Rev. Cheryl P. Wilcox, Pastor. Mr. James Shackleford, Chairperson.
The Historic Mosaic Tapestry and the Power of Worship resounded throughout the house of God now known as Greater Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church. Sister Belinda DeWitt, Worship Leader, was in place and the Gospel Choir was ready. The Musicians on Keyboard Rev. Leon A. Tucker, Jr., Saxophone Carl Lewis, and Percussionist Jonathan Frazier were in place and the Spirit of God was in the house. Master Cashus Rolle lined “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and the people celebrated the goodness of God. The Celebration Prayer was prayed by Brother Cecil Pressley of Greater Ward Chapel A.M.E. Church, North Melbourne.
Youth and young adult participation was evident throughout worship. Psalm 145;3-21 was led by Miss Jazmin Harris; and the Summary of the Decalogue was given by Miss Leah Lewis; the Anniversary Litany “I Am Your Church” was led Sister Latisha Cooper, and the Welcome and Occasion was powerfully extended by Sister Tina Lane. The Church is important in the community and the lives of so many, therefore, some of the senior most and junior most members shared “What Greater Allen Means to Me.” Brothers Charles W. Jackson, Sr., Allen Broomfield, Sisters Patricia Kelly, Tina Lane, Master Jaquez (Captain) Rolle. The main points were, family, biblical teaching and learning, relationships. sharing, preaching, singing, youth organizations, and just being a part of God’s Church mattered.
The Stewardship Responsive Reading was shared and Worship through giving was led by the Stewards and The Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. The Media Team and Pastor Cheryl P. Wilcox announced upcoming events. The Altar call and Meditation was led by The Rev. Ralph T. Newell and Brother Charles W. Jackson, Sr. presented God’s messenger for the 140th Church Anniversary.
The Anniversary Celebration Message was preached by Presiding Elder Lorenzo Laws. His subject: “We are a generation of faith” and he expounded on Psalm 145 and Deuteronomy 6. The Elder reminded the congregation to not get distracted or deceived by the political currents that are floating about through the executive orders written by the U.S. President. He said: “these are traps to destroy us if we do not have faith in God. There are many things taking place politically that are challenging the church. You must hold onto your faith like the early Christians of Allen Chapel and Greater Allen did. You must love the lord with all your heart as it states in Deuteronomy 6. You must praise the goodness of God. You must trust God no matter what. When trouble come you can dance like David danced because you know God will never leave you nor fail you. 140 years of faithfulness, praise, love, and trust have brought you this far and it will keep you. Why? Because our God is able. He is able! The invitation to Christian Discipleship was extended. Presiding Elder Laws encouraged the congregation to continue being a generation of faith in God and Jesus Christ! Amen! Amen! And Amen!”
Brother James Shackleford, The Anniversary Chairperson, thanked all participants, all committee members and all of those attending. Pastor Cheryl P. Wilcox thanked Mr. Shackleford, persons on the Anniversary committee and the GADC for the previous day’s events. She said, “what a powerful and glorious two days these have been. To God be all glory and praise.” The Doxology “Praise God from whom all blessings flow” and the Benediction was given and the people of God sang Amen.
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