St. Peter's A.M.E. Zion Church
617 Queen Street
New Bern NC 28560
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St. Peter's A.M.E. Zion
Church
Pastor
Joseph C. George B.S., M.A. ED.S.M. DIV
A native New Bernian, he was baptized as an
infant at Clinton Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church; however growing up he was
member of Boy Scout Troop 229, which sponsored St. Peter’s A.M.E. Zion
Church.
After graduating J.T. Barber High School and serving in the U.S. Navy,
he enrolled at A&T State University graduating in 1968.
From 1968-71, he served as a teacher, coach and assistant
principal in the Jones County School system He attended
Cornell University from 1971-72 to earn a M.A. degree and returned to
Jones County in 1972 to assume principalship at Jones County Junior
High School where he served for 10 years.
In 1981, the Reverend George became the first black selected as
executive assistant at the NC Leadership Institute for Principals at
the State Dept. of Public Instruction in Raleigh. After leaving
that position, he assumed the position of assistant superintendent with
Goldsboro City Schools. While serving in Goldsboro, he earned his
Ed. S. degree from East Carolina University. He returned to his
native New Bern and assumed his present position as Executive Director
with New Bern Housing Authority in 1984.
His call to ministry was accepted and he preached his initial sermon at
Clinton Chapel AME Zion Church on January 15, 1989. There he was
a life member, served on the trustee board and sang in the Men’s
Chorus. Eager to increase his knowledge and prepare for the
ministry, he entered Shaw Divinity School in Raleigh in August 1989,
where he received his Master of Divinity degree, Summa Cum Laude on
April 23, 1993.
In 1991, he began his first pastorate at Little Zion AME Zion Church,
and following that next he pastored historic Purvis Chapel in Beaufort,
North Carolina for four years. While at Purvis Chapel, which was
built in 1820, he led the congregation in the complete renovation of
the church. On December 7, 1997, he was appointed pastor of York
Memorial AME Zion Church in Greenville NC.. During his three-year
tenure at York Memorial, he led the congregation in an extensive
renovation. The church paid an additional $50,000 in its mortgage in
his third year as pastor.
Recognizing his business acumen and leadership, Bishop George E. Battle
Jr. appointed him to St. Peters AME Zion Church in New Bern NC on
November 26, 2000. In this short time, his dedication, vision,
and leadership have us to enjoy this one-half million dollar church
renovation.
The Reverend George is involved in his community, a member of many
organizations including Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, and. is widely
acclaimed as a preacher, lecturer, and speaker. He is the
recipient of numerous awards ,including the Order of the Long Leaf Pine.
He is the eldest of eleven children born to Joseph G. and the late
Clementine George. His four children are Jennifer, Melanie, Jodi,
and Joseph B. George.
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