Ames Clair Hall

This building was completed in 1857 and became the second home of the Union Methodist Episcopal Church. Although the congregation was segregated with free and enslaved African Americans attending services in the balcony, the white leaders of the church made the decision to exclude African Americans and became part of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, in 1861. In 1891 the white-only congregation built a new church and sold this building to the African American members of the congregation. The church became Ames Methodist Episcopal Church in honor of Bishop Edward R. Ames.

By 1992, membership had declined and the church building was deeded to the Monroe County Historical Society. The Monroe County Historical Society used grants from the West Virginia Archives and History Commission, the Governor’s Community Partnership Grant, and the Benedum foundation along with many hours of planning and hard work from volunteer members to restore the church. The Historical Society has renamed the building Ames Clair Hall in honor of Matthew Clair, one of the first African American Methodist Bishops in the United States and a native of Monroe County. In 1998 Ames Clair Hall was dedicated by the Historical Society for use as a small concert hall and other gatherings. The West Virginia Humanities Council has funded part of the cost for an interpretive sign for the property.

In 1857, the white Methodist congregation of Union erected Union Methodist Episcopal Church. It was the second church built by this Methodist congregation in Union. The first church was built in the 1820s or 1830s on what is now South Street. The first church was sold and the building was used as a part of a private school.

Originally, the balcony was used by the enslaved and freed African-Americans. However in 1866, white congregants decided that African Americans would no longer be welcomed in the church, and the white-only congregation changed their name to Union Methodist Episcopal Church South.

In 1889 the Methodist congregation built a third church, the Union United Methodist Church. The second church, Union Methodist Episcopal Church South, was sold in 1891 to the African-American Methodist congregation and became Ames Methodist Episcopal Church.  The Trustees of the church at the time of purchase were: Chris Chambers, Chris Whitlock, Samuel Rogers, Callender Porter and Lewis Walker. The families of the original congregants of Ames Methodist Church include: Patterson, Graham, Simpson, Small, Walker, Newsome, Lewis, Haynes, Steele and Rodgers

Prior to purchasing the church, the African-American congregation used a building known as “Joppa” on the west side of Union and also shared services in the First Baptist Church. 

In 1990 the congregation of the Ames Methodist Episcopal Church joined the Union United Methodist Church, and the Ames Church became the property of the Union Church. 

In 1992 the building was deeded to the Monroe County Historical Society who has restored the building and offers it as a concert hall and meeting place. The building is known for unusually good acoustics. The society has named the building Ames Clair Hall, adding the name of Bishop Matthew W. Clair, one of the first two African-American bishops of the Methodist Church and was from Union. Although Matthew Clair was not a pastor of the church, he would preach to large crowds at this church and the First Baptist Church while on family visits to Union.

A native of Monroe County, Matthew Walker Clair, born 1865, was one of the first two Black Methodists consecrated as a Bishop. He was the grandson of James (Jim) Clair, a slave who was purchased at Richmond to work at the Salt Sulphur Springs Resort. While the owners of the resort rode home, the slaves had to walk. They were guided on their journey by forked sticks placed at forks of the road to show them which way their owners had taken. His grandfather, James Clair, was a founder of the First Baptist Church in Union in 1870. Descendants of Jim Clair worked for the Caperton family. Mrs. Gaston Caperton had young Matthew privately educated as at that time there were no schools for Black children.

The building is a board and batten structure with a cut stone foundation, six large windows, and a belfry still housing the original bell. An outside entrance leads to the balcony overlooking the church. The balcony was built for the slaves and freed African-Americans. The building is a rare example of the heavy timber construction that was common in the 17^th and 18^th centuries. Heavy timber truss bents support the roof system. The corners are supported by large beams with the corners hewn like hog-troughs were. This style of construction dates back to the 18^th century. Along with the heavy timber construction there is light frame construction which became common after the birth of the circular saw mill. The building is constructed of yellow popular which was common in this area until shortly after the Civil War. The windows are also unique, with 24 pane over 24 pane construction. The building is known for its fine acoustics.

This entry includes photographs of the exterior and several of the interior.

The Monroe County Historical Society information and files.