The Flipper Chapel A.M.E. Church has an interesting history, which began about the turn of the century. The first preachers and the first families are known, but what is not known is how it got its name.

The first service was held in a lodge hall on Church Street (which is now part of Edgefield Baptist Church); some funds were raised to purchase some land that had a house on it. Because the congregation reached a point that it could not continue to make payments, the property went back to its owner. About 1917, a minister began what is now Flat Rock A.M.E. Church, located on Ga. Highway 54 West, just a few miles west of Fayetteville. When he learned about the property that had been given back, he and others made arrangements to get it once again for the church and were able to get Flipper Chapel to be a viable congregation.

It has seen a number of ministers through the years, some who were still in college and could only preach Sunday morning, but not Sunday evening as they had to be back in Atlanta for school the next day. Each one encouraged the members to constantly improve the facility and in the 1970s, a new roof was added, new lights, ceiling fans, carpets and a new public address system. In the 1980s new carpet was again installed, new linoleum in the kitchen and dining area. In the 1990s, new chairs were added for the choir and painting done inside and out.

It has always been a circuit church until recently, that is, services were held there just one Sunday out of the month, and services were held at other churches in the area on the other Sundays. Services are now held every Sunday at 11 a.m. and Sunday School is at 10 a.m. Tuesday evenings are devoted to Bible studies beginning at 7:30 p.m.

The current minister is the Rev. Sherryl Powell. She was born and reared in Atlanta and graduated from college with a degree in Human Resources. For a number of years she was a part of corporate America, but finally yielded to God about six years ago. She received her degree to be ordained from the Interdenominational Theological Center at the Turner A.M.E. Seminary and is currently working on her Masters in Divinity, with emphasis on Christian Education.

"I want to be a viable nourishment source for this congregation," she said, "I am excited about the opportunities for growth here. I like Fayetteville because it still exhibits small town family values."

And "oh yes," she added, "we need a piano player."