In what some are describing as a homecoming, about 800 members of African Methodist Episcopal churches between Lubbock and Round Rock are coming to Waco this weekend for a week-long conference.

Waco for years hosted the annual gathering because it was home to Paul Quinn College, a private, historically black institution that can trace its roots to 1872, when it was founded by a group of AME preachers.

But Paul Quinn, facing financial challenges, relocated to Dallas in 1990. In recent years, the Northwest Texas Annual Conference of the AME met in other cities, usually in Fort Worth, said the Rev. George Johnson Jr., pastor of Waco’s St. Paul AME Church, one of the host churches for the conference.

Meanwhile, the aging school campus in Waco has undergone a renaissance. It is now home to the Rapoport Academy charter school, the Doris Miller branch of the YMCA of Central Texas and a multipurpose community center.

Private donations from local individuals and from others as far as away as Houston and Chicago helped make “Quinn Campus” a reality. The city of Waco also allocated $250,000 in federal funds toward the project.

Johnson said he relishes the opportunity to show visitors new life on Elm Avenue and the school grounds.

“I’m pleased to have them here to show off the Herculean efforts made to revive the Paul Quinn Campus,” said Johnson, who besides preaching is employed as an assistant city manager.

Hilton Waco, 113 S. University Parks Drive, is the host hotel for the conference. Manager Dennis Havranek said his facility is booked solid with AME members and Baylor University backers in Waco for Parents Weekend.

Conference guests will attend meetings and worship services at Hilton Waco meeting rooms, the Waco Convention Center and the host churches, including Trinity AME Church, whose pastor is the Rev. Allen Edwards.

Youngsters will get to roam Cameron Park at least one day during the conference. Those attending also will discuss church ministries and attend worship and ordination services, Johnson said.

Guests have events scheduled today, Sunday and Monday, but the opening worship service is Tuesday evening.

mcopeland@wacotrib.com

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