Allen Chapel A.M.E Church

Reverend Dr. John Halbert, Pastor and Mrs. Mae Halbert

He is the second of twelve children to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Jessie Halbert. Born in Steens, Mississippi, attended Robert E. Lee Hunts High in Columbus, Mississippi, and graduated from Flint Northern High School in Flint Michigan. 2 He continued his education and graduated from Wilberforce University, Wilberforce, OH with a Bachelor of Art Degree, Major Pre-Theology, and Minor in Business Administration. He received a Master of Divinity from Payne Theology Seminary and was awarded “The Best Preacher Award” and an earned Doctor of Ministry from United Theology Seminary, Dayton, OH. (Implementing A Prayer Ministry) He has served in the pastoral ministry for 36 years. He is married to Mae Halbert for 38 years and has three sons; Nicky, and twins, Sedrick and Reginald, Has served in various compacities: Vice President of the South West Ministerial Alliance of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Board Member of the Berrien County Legal Services Bureau, Inc.,

On Sunday mornings, in churches throughout the Stateline, people from all ethnic backgrounds can come together for morning worship, a move that was impossible in 1891. That fact prompted a former slave to establish Rockford's first African American church. One hundred and twenty-eight years later, Allen Chapel A.M.E. is still going strong, opening its doors to people from all walks of life and ethnic backgrounds.