WS Chronicle

History was made a few months ago at Goler Metropolitan AME Zion Church when Rev. Dr. Tressala Hicklin delivered her first sermon as pastor, making her the first woman to lead the historic church.

To mark the historic moment in the church’s 82-year history, a special ceremony was held last Sunday afternoon. Mayor Allen Joines, Rep. Kanika Brown, and Sen. Paul Lowe were in attendance to welcome Hicklin to Winston-Salem.

“I’m honored to be here today to welcome a new leader to our community,” said Mayor Joines while welcoming Hicklin. “We’re delighted to have you here in Winston-Salem.”

Hicklin was assigned to Goler during the 134th Western NC AME Zion Church Annual Conference held in June.

Founded in 1942,  Goler Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church, is one of the city’s oldest congregations and the leading church in the Winston-Salem district of the AME Zion Church. Rev. Antionette Joiner, associate pastor of Goler Metro, said when it was announced that Hicklin was coming to Goler, it caused an uproar in the room.

“When they called Goler Metropolitan and said Rev. Dr. Tressla Hicklin … I don’t think anything else was said for the next five minutes,” Joiner continued. “And since she’s come, she has hit the ground running … And I’ll tell you, we have been on fire. It’s a new day at Goler Metropolitan.”

Rev. Dr. Calvin L. Miller, presiding elder of the Winston-Salem district, said, “I’m grateful to God that he has sent us a powerful preacher to lead the leading church in the Winston-Salem district.”

Before being assigned to Goler Metropolitan, Hicklin served as pastor of Gilmore Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church in Concord for 15 years. She earned her masters of divinity in pastoral ministry from Hood Theological Seminary and doctorate from United Theological Seminary.

When discussing the future of Goler Metropolitan, Hicklin said moving forward, the church will focus more on outreach and connecting with the community.

 “I’m looking to reach out into the different communities and different areas and I would like for  people to come and grow and go with us,” Hicklin said. “It takes everybody to improve the conditions of the community and the atmosphere in the city.”