African Methodism west of the Allegheny Mountains; Quinn Chapel, Chillicothe, being the first, May 30, 1821; and Allen Temple, Cincinnati, the second, February 4, 1824. In 1842, the Xenia church was known as the Green County Mission, and through love, perseverance, and hard work, it grew from 25 to 52 members. Circuit riders were prevalent in those days as they visited churches in the Hamilton Circuit, including Xenia, Lebanon, Middleton, Mason, Palmyra, and Harveysburg. Most of these early circuit riders have not received the historical recognition they deserve; others have become legends in A.M.E. history. The third pastor, William Paul Quinn, later became a Bishop and is honored as one of the “Four Horsemen” and for his westward expansion of African Methodism. In 1850, trustees John Roberts, Wesley Roberts, William Brandon, George Boyd, Charles Smith, Jessie Divine, and Rev. David Smith purchased a lot on West Market Street, in the vicinity of what is now the former Kmart location. This modest building lacked a floor, and Rev. Smith got boards and laid one. A man named Radar constructed the brick walls and roof, and the Roberts provided financial security for the materials. This was the first church among black Xenians. The members were building this small structure when they learned that the Dayton-Xenia-Belpre Railroad had been granted the right way through their property. Although discouraged, they sold the above real estate to the railroad for $1,100 on September 21, 1853.

In a few months, the abandoned German Reformed Church, located on the corner of Back and Monroe (Church and Monroe) Streets, and across from the prestigious Xenia Female Academy, was offered to the membership. This lot contained a brick church, measuring 40 x 50, and a house that was purchased on December 21, 1853, for $1,200 by the following officers: John Roberts, George Boyd, William Brandon, David Smith, and Wesley Roberts. This was recorded April 11, 1854. The second period, from 1855 to 1912, was a tranquil phase for the church. Pastor Davis Smith, 1855-57, petitioned the Annual Conference to make Xenia a separate station, as the Hamilton Circuit was so large, and this was done. The congregation was pleased with their new location, and the church was enlarged in 1867 to accommodate its increasing membership. In 1876, Xenia hosted the Ohio Annual Conference. This conference featured an address by the beloved Daniel A. Payne, the first president of Wilberforce University and founder of Payne Theological Seminary. During this meeting, the name of the church was changed to St. John. Members were especially active in both local and connectional affairs. They supported Wilberforce University, bought a parsonage on East Market Street, celebrated a Golden Jubilee, and committed themselves to a new site. Around 1910, the church building became unusable and was condemned. There had been extensive repairs in 1867, but no record exists of subsequent maintenance or repairs. The congregation began plans to rebuild under the direction of Rev. S.P. West. West organized the membership into six fundraising “Tribes of Israel” and raised $5,000, enough to obtain a bank loan to construct the church. However, some members were not interested in purchasing an existing building at the corner of Columbus and Market Streets, which church members had bought at a sheriff’s sale. A majority of the membership did not accept this proposal, and after attempts by the church conference and even court litigation, a unifying agreement was not reached. At the 1914 Annual Conference, Bishop Cornelius Thaddeus Shaffer ruled that they function as separate churches, which pleased both factions.

In 1915, the opposing faction bought the First Reformed Presbyterian Church building, located on the corner of Market and Columbus Streets. This then became the First A.M.E. Church from 1914 through 1917; members of the St. John group built on its original site at the corner of Monroe and Church Streets.

On April 3, 1974, a devastating tornado struck Xenia, destroying both churches. First A.M.E. church met at the home of Mrs. Mildred Johnson, and St. John A.M.E. church met at Winfrey, later McLin (now Porter-Qualls & Dunlap) Funeral Home. Plans for a church structure located on the grounds of 286 East Church Street were submitted by the Merger and Building Committees and approved on August 18, 1974. This new location, originally the Xenia A.M.E. church, had been purchased in 1967 from Wilberforce University by St. John for a building site. A Merger Worship Service was held at Martin Luther King Memorial Hall, Wilberforce, Ohio, on September 1, 1974, with many in attendance. Bishop Harold I. Bearden appointed Rev. G.W. Patterson, pastor, and Rev. F.H. Shipes, associate pastor of the new organization, United A.M.E. Church, which was placed in the Ohio Annual Conference