Nestled on Main Street in Goshen is a small church with a long, rich history.

St. John's African Union Methodist Protestant Church (AUMP) was founded in Goshen in 1869 less than five years after the end of the Civil War.

Today, St. John's is still going strong almost 151 years later.

"I've been here a long time," said Mary Sumter, who said she has attended St. John's for more than six decades.

Sumter, or "Mother Mary" as she's known to the congregation, has been coming to the church since she was 21 years old. Now 84, she's baptized all of her children there.

"When we had many, many more parishioners, we were all like family," said Sumter.

The congregation used to worship in a different building down the street until it moved in 1965. For more than 150 years, St. John's AUMP was the center of the black community in Goshen. The church was even listed on the the National Register of Historic Places. 

Although the congregation is smaller than it used to be, the history of the church still echoes through its halls.

"It's important to me, because we are the only African American church in this area," said Sumter. "We want to make sure that black American people have a base to call this their support system and to come and to hear the word."

One hundred fifty years later, the rich history of the black community lives on in its members.

"Things were put in place by family members who were members of this congregation way back when friends, people that I grew up with, they put in the hard work, so now I get to reap those benefits. I get to enjoy this place today," said Marcia Terrell, Mary Sumter's daughter.

That sacrifice propels the members of this church to keep it alive.

"This is just considered a lost history of America," said Pastor Brazley Young. "It's very important for me to keep these doors open."

Last year, the church was approved for a Sacred Sites Grant from the New York Landmarks Conservancy to complete vital renovations to the church. In order to receive the grant, the church must match 50 percent of the grant's value. Parishioners are hoping to raise that money by the end of February.

"Seeing the outpouring of support from the community, when I think about it, it just fills me with so much joy," said Terrell. 

As the church community looks to the future, the past is not far behind.

"It's important that not only people of color, but people in general, know the history of our struggle and the efforts that we've made," said Sumter. 

To donate to support St. John AUMP's building fund, click here.