According to the Farmville's Centennial Anniversary book, Saint Stephen African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church was organized in 1855 and Rev. L. H. Moseley was the first minister. The church is located on the corner of Walnut and Hines Streets. The current structure was originally the Antioch Christian Church and was moved to its present location in 1909.  In 1922 the church was remolded and again in 1975.

Because there is limited written documentation about our history we have relied on the oral history that has been passed down. It is unclear when Saint Stephen joined the AME Zion denomination or even when it became a church family.  Based on the fact that Saint Peters (a.k.a. Andrew Chapel) AME Zion Church in New Bern is considered to be the mother church of all AME Zion churches in the south joined the AME Zion denomination in 1864 we feel that Saint Stephen perhaps became a church family 1855 and an AME Zion church in 1865.  Either way, Saint Stephen has been serving the Farmville community for over 100 years.

The Odd Fellows building was the first known meeting place for the members of Saint Stephen. It was located on the corner of Walnut and Hines Streets diagonally across from the churches present location. The Odd Fellows building also housed the Farmville Colored School which later became known as H. B. Sugg High School. 

According to the Farewell Program for H. B. Sugg High School book, in 1903 Rev. McDowell, a Methodist minister was one of the two teachers. In 1908 Methodist minister, Rev. Moultsby and his wife were a part of the H. B. Sugg High School staff.

Saint Stephen use to be a circuit church with Zachariah AME Zion Church out of Greene County.  It is now a station church with approximately 20 active adult and 5 youth members.

Mr. Will U. Davis used his feet to measure the church property and discovered that the house that we now use as the parsonage belonged to church.

Mr. David "Dave" Hope was a legendary Sunday School Superintendent for over 20 years. He made sure that the children were able to enjoy summer trips.  The Sunday School sold flavored shaved ice and barbeque to fund the trips and Easter egg hunts.  Mr. Dave Hope would borrow a truck from the company he worked for to carry the Sunday School members down to the beach in Washington, NC.

This information was provided by his daughter, Mrs. Bessie L. Hope Floyd and many others who recall their fond memories of Mr. Dave Hope.