South Carolina AME churches remain closed due to COVID-19 concerns

CONWAY, S.C. (WPDE) — While many churches are beginning to reopen, African Methodist Episcopal (AME) churches do not have a set reopening date yet.

Reverend Eric Robinson from Brown Chapel AME Church in Conway says COVID-19 concerns are still very real for the African-American community, which has been disproportionately impacted by the virus.

"We do like coming together, we love worship together, but it's more important that we keep our parishioners alive so they can have the opportunity to thank God in a special way when this pandemic is over," Robinson said.

DHEC data shows African-Americans account for 44% of South Carolina's COVID-19 cases, the most of any other race. African-Americans also account for 50% of the state's COVID-19 deaths -- also more than any other race.

"When the numbers started coming out, the statistics were frighteningly alarming because of the underlying conditions most African-Americans have in comparison to other races and it was imperative to make sure that we not put people in dangerous situations," Robinson said.

Brown Chapel AME's last in-person service was on the third Sunday in March. Robinson said he had no idea that would be the last time they'd worship together for months.

Ever since, the church has been conducting worship virtually.

Robinson said it's not easy for him, because his role as a reverend is to nurture and comfort. But doing that virtually, of course, certainly isn't the same.

"It gives you mixed feelings to not be able to go physically touch them, see them, be there for them they way a pastor would like to," he said.

He's been calling his church members to check in on them during this pandemic.

"When I call them on a weekly basis, I'm making sure they're doing all the things necessary regarding social distancing, making sure that they're cleaning, washing their hands. Whenever they go out, if need be, to try to stay within a social distance area from people, wear a mask," he said.

He said keeping the church's doors closed for now is the right decision, considering most of their members fall within the high-risk category for catching the virus.

"Until we know that it is fully gone, we must be vigilant and aware," he said.

He said national and regional AME leaders are doing routine teleconferences to discuss what AME churches will look like when they eventually reopen.

He said at Brown Chapel AME, they'll be implementing social distancing and requiring masks when they open their doors again.

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