Franklin, Tenn.-Rev. Boyce E. Wilkins, Jr. has been named the new pastor of Historic Shorter Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, located at 255 Natchez Street in Franklin, Tennessee. A dynamic leader with a deep commitment to faith and community, Rev. Wilkins brings a wealth of experience and spiritual insight to the cherished congregation at Historic Shorter Chapel which has served as a beacon of hope to its parishioners and the residents of Franklin for over 150 years.
Rev. Wilkins, was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee to the late Boyce E. Wilkins, Sr. and Marion L. Wilkins. He attended Tennessee State University and ultimately graduated from Trevecca Nazarene University with the Bachelor of Business Arts and the Master of Arts in Religion degrees. Rev. Wilkins earned the Master of Divinity degree from Payne Theological Seminary.
As a military veteran, Rev. Wilkins has dedicated his life to the service of others. He served this nation honorably for 29 years in the U.S. Air Force, and its reserve components. He has also served 16 years in law enforcement at the local and federal levels.
Rev. Wilkins surrendered to the call to Christian ministry in June of 2017 at Greater Bethel A.M.E. Church under the pastorate of the Rev. Walter W. Reid, Jr. He preached his initial sermon on July 17, 2017 and was admitted to the Tennessee Annual Conference in October of 2019. Rev. Wilkins was ordained an Itinerate Deacon in October of 2020 and appointed his first pastoral charge to Mullin Chapel A.M.E. Church in Shelbyville, Tennessee by Bishop Jeffrey N. Leath.
Bishop E. Anne Henning Byfield ordained Rev. Wilkins an Itinerate Elder in October of 2021 during the Tennessee Annual Conference and appointed him pastor of St. Phillip AME Church in Nashville, Tennessee. During the 2024 Tennessee Annual Conference Bishop Harry L. Seawright appointed Rev. Wilkins to Historic Shorter Chapel.
He is married to the former Tonya Lamore Tharpe. Together they have five children and three grandchildren. Rev. Wilkins is a proud member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
