[PAR] [TLE] Thomas Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church [SEP] Thomas Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church is a historic African Methodist Episcopal church located at Black Mountain, Buncombe County, North Carolina.  It was built in 1922 by descendents of freed slaves, and is a one-story, frame building with Gothic Revival design influences.  It is sheathed in weatherboard and features a tall, pyramidal-roof bell tower. [PAR] [TLE] African Methodist Episcopal Church [SEP] The African Methodist Episcopal Church, usually called the A.M.E. Church, is a predominantly African-American Methodist denomination based in the United States.  It is the first independent Protestant denomination to be founded by black people .  It was founded by the Rt.  Rev. Richard Allen in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1816 from several black Methodist congregations in the mid-Atlantic area that wanted independence from white Methodists.  Allen was consecrated its first bishop in 1816.  It began with eight clergy and five churches, and by 1846 had grown to 176 clergy, 296 churches, and 17,375 members.  The 20,000 members in 1856 were located primarily in the North.  AME national membership (including probationers and preachers) jumped from 70,000 in 1866 to 207,000 in 1876.
[PAR] [TLE] Thomas Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church [ SEP ] Thomas Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church is a historic African Methodist Episcopal church located at Black Mountain , Buncombe County , North Carolina . It was built in 1922 by descendents of freed slaves , and is a one - story , frame building with Gothic Revival design influences . It is sheathed in weatherboard and features a tall , pyramidal - roof bell tower . [PAR] [TLE] African Methodist Episcopal Church [ SEP ] The African Methodist Episcopal Church , usually called the A.M.E. Church , is a predominantly African - American Methodist denomination based in the United States . It is the first independent Protestant denomination to be founded by black people . It was founded by the Rt . Rev. Richard Allen in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , in 1816 from several black Methodist congregations in the mid - Atlantic area that wanted independence from white Methodists . Allen was consecrated its first bishop in 1816 . It began with eight clergy and five churches , and by 1846 had grown to 176 clergy , 296 churches , and 17,375 members . The 20,000 members in 1856 were located primarily in the North . AME national membership ( including probationers and preachers ) jumped from 70,000 in 1866 to 207,000 in 1876 .
How many clergy did the denomination that the Thomas Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church belongs to begin with?
How many clergy did the denomination that the Thomas Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church belongs to begin with ?
eight
eight