Mobile District

Rev. Charles Lewis

Presiding Elder
The Southwest Alabama Conference, which evolved from what was formerly the Central Alabama Conference, was originally organized in 1892, in Demopolis, Alabama due to the growth of African Methodism in the state. The first conference was comprised of seven Presiding Elders’ Districts: Selma, Mobile, Camden, Greensborough, Demopolis, Thomasville and Greenville. The Right Reverend Abraham Grant was assigned to preside over the district.

In 2009, during the Episcopal District’s Planning Meeting, a resolution was approved for conference boundary restructuring in conference accordance with the mandate of the General Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church to redraw conference boundaries. The Right Rev. James L. Davis was the Presiding Bishop. The Central Alabama Conference became the Southwest Alabama Conference. All churches, charges, stations, and circuits whose physical address was located in the respective counties of Baldwin, and Mobile, were aligned with the new conference. Presently, the Mobile District is comprised of (18 churches). The Reverend Johnnie Bryant was the Presiding Elder of the Mobile District from 2012 till 2022 where he retired and Presiding Elder Charles A. Lewis was appointed by Bishop Harry L Seawright to become the new Presiding Elder of the Magnificent Mobile District.

CHURCH NAME 2025~ 2026
Bethel AME Church - MobileRev. Brandon L. Thornton
Samuel Chapel AME, PrichardRev. Vernon McLeod
Emmanuel Chapel AMERev. John L. Dees, Jr.
Metropolitan AMERev. Kimberly Martin
St. Paul AME, MobileRev. Dr. G. Dianne Lewis
Greater Pine Grove AMERev. Willie H. Burns
Smith Memorial AME ChurchRev. Samantha Lightner
Trinity Chapel AMERev. James D. Allen
Greater Ruth Chapel AMERev. Dr. Melvin Hitchens, Sr.
St. Stephens AMERev. Rosalind Amos
St. James AME Church, PrichardRev. Donna James
St. John AME, KushlaRev. Benjamin Lightner
Greater Montrose AMERev. Albert Robinson, Jr.
Tate Chapel AMERev. Keith Robinson
Mt. Olive AMERev. Gladys Figures
Friendship AMERev. Twilla Burns
Lebanon Chapel AMERev. Twilla Burns
Roberts Chapel AMESupply by Elder