Bridgeport, Connecticut · The South End

A Historic Sanctuary of Faith, Legacy, and Fellowship in Bridgeport since 1835.

Rooted in the free Black community of Little Liberia and honored on the Connecticut Freedom Trail, Walters Memorial welcomes all to worship, learn, and serve.

Join Us Sunday 11:00 AM Watch Live
The Walters Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church building in Bridgeport’s South End

Welcome Home

Where generations have gathered, prayed, and stood for freedom.

For more than 190 years, our congregation has carried the faith of a people who built a free community on the shores of Bridgeport Harbor. Whether you are visiting for the first time or returning home, there is a seat for you here.

Sunday
Sunday School 9:30 AM
Worship 11:00 AM
Wednesday Bible Study
Seniors 12:00 PM
All are welcome 6:00 PM
Location
Rev. Elvin Clayton, Pastor of Walters Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church
Rev. Elvin ClaytonPastor

A Word from Our Pastor

You are welcome here.

Peace and Blessings,

Whether you are joining us in person in the South End or online from wherever you are, I am glad you have found your way to Walters Memorial.

Our congregation stands on the faith and courage of those who came before us. We invite you to worship with us, grow with us in the Word, and join us in serving our neighbors. There is a place for you in this family.

Peace and Blessings,
Rev. Elvin ClaytonPastor, Walters Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church

About Rev. Clayton

Rev. Elvin Clayton has served as pastor of Walters Memorial for more than a decade. A native of Waterbury, Connecticut, he graduated from W. F. Kaynor Regional Technical Vocational School and began his pastoral vocation in 1983, after years of a passionate pursuit of music that included playing in church. He studied at Slidell and Hartford Seminaries, completed Clinical Pastoral Education at Hartford Hospital, and pastored Redeemers Church in Plainville for 18 years.

Rev. Clayton is a co-founder of the Yale Center for Clinical Investigation's Cultural Ambassadors program, a partnership with A.M.E. Zion churches and community leaders that works to make clinical research more inclusive of the communities it serves.

Source: Yale Center for Clinical Investigation

Ministerial Staff

Our Leadership

  • Rev. Elvin Clayton, Pastor
    Rev. Elvin ClaytonPastor
  • First Lady Vanessa E. Clayton
    Vanessa E. ClaytonFirst Lady
  • Rev. Carolyn Rogers, Associate Minister
    Rev. Carolyn RogersAssociate Minister
  • Rev. Dr. Terri Williams, Associate Minister
    Rev. Dr. Terri WilliamsAssociate Minister

Little Liberia

The places that still stand.

Little Liberia was a free community of Black and Native American residents along Bridgeport Harbor, first known as Ethiope. Two of its landmarks still stand in the South End: our church and the Mary & Eliza Freeman Houses. Both are sites on the Connecticut Freedom Trail.

Today

More history: Mary & Eliza Freeman Center. Street map © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Worship & Media

Worship with us, wherever you are.

Sunday worship airs as A Moment of Truth on our YouTube channel and on local public-access television. Watch live, revisit past sermons, or listen on the go.

Next service

Sunday · 11:00 AM ET

The stream will appear here when we go live.

Sunday Morning Worship

Music Ministry & Our Congregation

Lift every voice and sing.

Music is woven into Sunday worship at Walters Memorial, and into our pastor's own calling: Rev. Clayton came to ministry after years of playing music in church. Our vocalists and musicians lead Praise & Worship every Sunday morning. Come sing with us.

  • A vocalist leads praise during Sunday worship
  • The praise team and guitarist lead music from the front of the church
  • A guitarist plays softly as scripture is read from the pulpit
  • The congregation stands and sings with the praise team

Photos: stills from the church's YouTube broadcasts.

Ministries

Find your place to serve and grow.

Every ministry at Walters Memorial is a way to worship, learn, and care for one another and our neighbors.

Giving

Sustain the sanctuary. Serve the community.

“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

2 Corinthians 9:7
  • 01

    Tithes

    Faithful giving that sustains our ministries, worship, and pastoral care.

  • 02

    Offerings

    Gifts of gratitude supporting outreach, food distribution, and fellowship.

  • 03

    Building & Preservation Fund

    Help preserve a Connecticut Freedom Trail landmark for generations to come.

Community Outreach & Fellowship

Gather with us this week.

Worship SunWeekly

Sunday Worship Service

Every Sunday · 11:00 AM

Join us for praise, prayer, and the preached Word in our historic South End sanctuary. All are welcome.

Bible Study WedWeekly

Senior Bible Study

Every Wednesday · 12:00 PM

A warm midday gathering of study, scripture, and fellowship for our seniors and friends.

Sunday School SunWeekly

Sunday School

Every Sunday · 9:30 AM

Learning and fellowship for all ages before morning worship.

Bible Study WedWeekly

Wednesday Evening Bible Study

Every Wednesday · 6:00 PM

An evening of scripture study open to everyone.

Community Outreach TBASee announcements

Community Food Distribution

Date & time: see announcements

Placeholder — date to be announced

Our food ministry shares groceries and essentials with neighbors in the South End. Volunteers are always welcome.

Community Outreach TBAPlaceholder

Outreach Volunteer Gathering

Date & time: placeholder — to be announced

Placeholder — date to be announced

Placeholder event — replace with your next outreach initiative, clothing drive, or service project.

Questions & Answers

Good to know.

What time is Sunday worship?

Sunday Worship begins at 11:00 AM. Our weekly schedule: Sunday School 9:30 AM, Sunday Worship 11:00 AM, Senior Bible Study Wed 12:00 PM, Bible Study (all) Wed 6:00 PM.

Where is Walters Memorial located?

We worship at 445 Broad Street, Bridgeport, CT 06604, in Bridgeport's South End. Get directions.

Can I watch the service online?

Yes. Sunday worship streams on our YouTube channel, and recent sermons are posted there too. You can watch right on this website in Worship & Media.

How do I send a prayer request?

Use the prayer request form on this page. It goes privately to our pastor and ministers, and you may stay anonymous.

What is the history of Walters Memorial?

Our congregation was organized in 1835 in Little Liberia, the free Black community in Bridgeport's South End. Our church is a site on the Connecticut Freedom Trail. Read our history.

What does A.M.E. Zion mean?

African Methodist Episcopal Zion. The A.M.E. Zion Church is a historically Black Methodist denomination founded in New York City in 1796. Walters Memorial is one of its congregations.

How can I contact the church?

Call (203) 333-8250 or email waltersmem@aol.com.

Prayer & Connection

We would be honored to pray with you.

Visit or reach us

Share a prayer request

Share what is on your heart. Your request goes privately to our pastor and ministers — never published on this website.

Who may see this request?

By sending, you agree that our pastor and ministers may read your request. You may stay anonymous. If you choose "share with our prayer team," only members of our prayer team will see it.

Prefer to reach us directly? Call (203) 333-8250 · waltersmem@aol.com

Get email & text updates

Hear about services, special events, and community outreach.

Prefer to reach us directly? Call (203) 333-8250 · waltersmem@aol.com