© Copyright 2008
St. Ambrose Episcopal Church

Saint Ambrose Episcopal Church was founded in Raleigh, North Carolina as a mission of the Diocese of North Carolina in 1868. Prior to that time, communicants were mostly adults who worshiped in the chapel at Saint Augustine's Normal and Collegiate Institute, which was founded in 1867.

By an act of the North Carolina Legislature in 1868, a lot was granted to Saint Ambrose Episcopal Church and Parochial School. This property was located on the corner of Lane and Dawson Streets. The lot was granted for 99 years.

The Legislature authorized the sale of the original property with a stipulation that the profits be reinvested in other real estate in or near the city. Under this authority, the trustees purchased and relocated the physical church building to the corner of Wilmington and Cabarrus Streets.

The church and parochial school operated for many years at this location. A rectory was later built adjacent to the church. Under the leadership of The Reverend George A. Fisher, Saint Ambrose Episcopal Church became the first African-American parish in the Diocese of North Carolina.

The next physical move came in 1965, when a new edifice was built at 813 Darby Street, in the Rochester Heights Subdivision. This move was accomplished under the leadership of the Reverend Arthur J. Calloway. An education wing was added in 1987, to house the rector’s office as well as both adult and youth Christian education programs.

The priests of Saint Ambrose have been excellent shepherds and have been actively involved in the affairs of the Raleigh/ Wake County community. Also, each in his own style was a genius in helping the congregation, and African-Americans in general, to adjust to the challenges of the paradoxical “two races—two worlds” existence of African-Americans.

The following priests have served the congregation:

• The Reverend James E. King, 1896-1913
• The Reverend James K. Satterwhite, 1913-1919
• The Reverend Arthur M. Cochran, 1919-1927
• The Reverend George A. Fisher, 1929-1939
• The Reverend Joelzie Thompson, 1941-1946
• The Reverend George A. Fisher, 1948-1958
• The Reverend Joseph N. Green, 1958-1959
• The Reverend Arthur J. Calloway, 1959-1998
• The Reverend Michael J. Battle, Ph.D., 2001-2004

Saint Ambrose has a meaningful, unpublished manuscript, Historical Sketch of Saint Ambrose, which covers the period from the 1860s to the 1960s. A written account of the ongoing life and work of every organization of the congregation is compiled each year.