Name: Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church
Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Date:1785 – Present
Brief History:The church is designated as the oldest independent operating African American church in the state of Maryland. Spawning from three different groups: the Strawberry Alley Meetinghouse, the Lovely Lane United Methodist Church, and the Sharp Street United Methodist Church is where the church traces its roots
Name:Historic Pleasant Green Missionary Baptist Church
Location;Lexington, Kentucky
Date:1790 – Present
Brief History:Since its founding in 1822 until present the church has remained on the same site. Although the original facility is no longer standing, the current facility which was purchased and paid off under the leadership of Dr. William Jones, the church was capable of completing much needed repairs and additions.
Name: Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church
Location:Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Date:1794 – Present
Brief History:Under the leadership of former slave Richard Allen, a parcel of land at 6th and Lombard Street was purchased with the financial aid of Dr. Benjamin Rush and George Washington. In addition an old blacksmith shop structure was used as a house of worship which came to be called, “The Blacksmith Shop Meeting House”. It was remodeled to to a sanctuary on July 29, 1794. At this time the pastor of St. George, Rev. John Dickins, proposed that the church should be called “Bethel”, meaning for the gathering of souls. 10 years later the congregation cultivated a mass of 460 parishioners. Therefore they decided to expand. Two lots were purchased for a new building to be constructed in replacing the original Blacksmith shop Meeting House.
Name:Mother African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
Location: New York, New York
Date:1796 – Present
Brief History:The neo-gothic building designed by one of New York’s first African American Architects, George W. Foster is located on 140-6 West 137th St. in Harlem. The church after several moves landed in this location due to migratory patterns of blacks. The church originally located in a rental property in downtown Manhattan. Used as a beacon for abolitionist and the Underground Railroad, Mother Zion has been integral in the advancements of black liberation. Notable figures also worshipped at the church including: W.E.B. DuBois, Langston Hughes, Madam C.J. Walker, Joe Louis, and Paul Robeson. In 1993 Mother Zion was designated as a historical landmark.
Name:African Baptist Church
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Date:1805 – Present
Brief History:Completed in 1806 at 46 Joy Street on Beacon Hill, the congregation consisted of 24 members. The church which was deeply ingrained in the abolitionist movement. The church, called the “African Meeting House”was used to organize the New England Anti-Slavery Society, and was also the first place a woman addressed a public audience over a pulpit. In 1860 Frederick Douglass used the church as a venue to deliver an anti-slavery speech.