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About us

CHURCH HISTORY

Chico's first organized church was this tiny Greek Revival-style chapel on Main Street, completed in 1867. The Methodist Episcopal Church South congregation met here until it outgrew the facility. The church was handed to the Black community in 1907 and moved to 6th and Flume streets, land John Bidwell deeded to the St. Andrew's African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1871. Trinity Methodist Church bought the site at 9th and Linden Streets in 1957 to expand its church facilities. Chico's Gothic-windowed white clapboard church is a relic of its religious past. African-Americans have always found comfort at Linden Street's church. The church edifice and the AME's presence in Chico predate the chapel's "108 years of service" sign. The Chico Historic Resources Inventory says the structure was built in 1867 on Main Street. It was moved twice and is a California historical landmark. American history also revolves around the greater AME Church. The Rev. Richard Allen created it in 1816, although its roots stretch back to 1787 when Allen and colleagues founded the Free African Society to fight racial injustice and slavery in the newly constituted US. With 2.5 million members, it is the largest black protestant group in the world.

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You can find out more about our story here

our pastor
Rev. Mical L. Cayton
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Rev. Mical L. Cayton, the son of late parents Dr. Leonard B. and Dorsine (Cayton)Gainer was born and raised in Oklahoma City, OK. Pastor Cayton was educated in Oklahoma City and Stockton Unified School District public school systems, ultimately graduating from Edison High School, Stockton, CA. He attended and graduated from Saint Mary's College of California, located in Moraga, CA where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Management. Rev. Cayton graduated from Faith International University, Tacoma, WA where he earned a Master of Theological Studies degree.

 

Rev. Cayton has served in ministry in Seattle, WA, Tacoma, WA,  the San Francisco Bay Area and San Diego, CA. Rev. Cayton served under the late Rev. Dr. Samuel Berry McKinney, Rev. Dr. Kenneth J. Ransfer Sr., Pastor LeeArthur J. Madison, the late Rev. W. James Smith, Rev. Paul A.W. McKery, and Rev. Maurice A. Bates and preached for a number of notable pastors across the United States. Rev. Cayton's personal and professional interests converge on the issues of community building and service, through church and community partnerships that together work to fulfill unmet needs in the community.

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​Rev. Cayton is active in community service as a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., a member of the Board of Directors of the Kennedy-King Memorial Scholarship Fund, a past President of the Bay Area Community Project and as a mentor to Information Technology and other business executives across the country. On October 6, 2024, Rev. Cayton was ordained an Itinerant Deacon in the African Methodist Episcopal Church and subsequently appointed Pastor of Bethel AME, Chico. Rev. Cayton is employed as the Chief Information Officer for Community Medical Center, Inc., of Stockton, CA. In his role he is the responsible and accountable technology business executive for the company and is a direct report to the CEO and a member of Community Medical Centers, Inc's executive leadership team.

 

Rev. Cayton is the proud father of four son's and is married to his wife of 13 years, Felicia D. Harris-Cayton, with whom he shares the youngest of his four children, Mateo. Rev. Cayton enjoys watching live or via digital media, most all professional sports as well as live theater and musical performances with a special affinity for the musical genres of smooth jazz, contemporary jazz, "old school" R&B,  traditional and contemporary gospel music. Rev. Cayton is an avid reader and life long learner. Rev. Cayton will complete his Doctor of Ministry degree from Payne Theological Seminary in May of 2025.

 

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OUR MISSION

The Mission of the AME Church is to minister to the social, spiritual, and physical development of all people.

 

THE VISION

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At every level of the Connection and in every local church, the AME Church shall engage in carrying out the spirit of the original Free African Society, out of which the AME Church evolved: that is, to seek out and save the lost, and to serve the needy. It is also the duty of the Church to continue to encourage all members to become involved in all aspects of church training.

 

THE PURPOSES

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The ultimate purposes are:

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  1. Make available God’s biblical principles,

  2. Spread Christ’s liberating gospel, and

  3. Provide continuing programs that will enhance the entire social development of all people.

 

THE OBJECTIVE

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In order to meet the needs of every level of the Connection and in every local church, the AME Church shall implement strategies to train all members in (1) Christian discipleship, (2) Christian leadership, (3) current teaching methods and materials, (4) the history and significance of the AME Church, (5) God’s biblical principles, and (6) social development to which all should be applied to daily living.

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