Organized in 1875, this was one of the first black churches in Giddings. The congregation was named for the Rev. James A. Shorter (1817-1887), ninth bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The Rev. Anthony Anderson (1843-1922), one of the founders, provided lumber for the first church building. That structure was destroyed by a storm in 1915. Members now worship in the third building erected at this site.