Built in 1886, shortly after the Civil War by the Reverend Andrew Cartwright, a dominate force in the movement of Zion Methodism. Rev. Cartwright was a missionary whose travels took him to Africa. The name Good Hope is derived from "Cape Good Hope."

Good Hope AME Zion will celebrate it's 145th year anniversary in 2011. This can be verified from the record of one of our former members who is now deceased. This member was our oldest member for a number of years. He is credited for being the first black teacher in Currituck County NC. His name was Robert Oscar Frost. He has information listed in print at the Currituck County Library.

The structure is currently in use and is listed as Good Hope African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. We are part of the Eastern North Carolina Episcopal District (ENCED) of which The Right Reverend Richard Keith Thompson is the Presiding Bishop.

Years ago, Good Hope AME Zion Church was the site used for graduation exercises for blacks all over Currituck County. Good Hope served as the nutrition site for the county. Senior Citizens all over the county received meals and people were sent out from this location in response to the "meals on wheels" program.

Good Hope was built as a white frame church and still stands after these many years. It has a very high ceiling. It has windows that reflect the sunlight through the stained glass windows arranged in the style of the church triumphant and victorious. It has a blacony area which has been used many times for overflow crowds. The choir stand is very highly elevated with a Hammond Organ and Leslie Speaker. The altar and the pulpit chairs are also of a distinct time period, as can be seen in the design of the wood carvings. Inside bathrooms were added, many years ago, after the use of an "outhouse" as was the culture of the times.

Good Hope AME Zion Church is located directly off Caratoke Highway. It is in the vicinity of Sligo, just a little pass the traffic light, as you make a right turn at the intersection of Highway 34 (Sharboro Road) and Caratoke Highway (Route 168). It is on the right hand side of the highway as you head toward the beach and it is prior to the intersection of Dozier Road. There is a church bulletin board which marks its location with the names of the church and the pastor.

Upon request, the church is available for touring. This includes starting with the vestibule, continuing through the main edifice, pastor study, choir room, choir loft, additional meeting rooms, fellowship hall, and balcony as well as the grounds.

This church still has it's original design but has an addition to accomodate a larger congregation. It has the original bell tower still in place and is used on occasion. The church structure is indicative of the design features of its place in time.

This church was built shortly after the Civil War by the Reverend Andrew Cartwright, who was a dominate force in the movement of Zion Methodism. Rev. Cartwright is also credited as a major missionary of the Zion Church whose travels took him to Africa. The name Good Hope is derived from "Cape Good Hope" which is located in Africa.

Sunday School -10am
Sunday Morning Worship - 11am
Wednesday Bible Study - 7pm

Submitted by Mrs. Gloria J. Peppers Spence