of property located on Mulberry and Birch Streets, to Fred Mills, stating,“ Whereas I desire that the Colored people of the vicinity shall have a piece of property to worship and educate their children …” Union Church was erected on this site. The Missionary Baptist and African Methodist would alternately hold services at this location. Several years later the African Methodist would withdraw from the Union Church in order to construct their own church.
On May 10, 1878 the young congregation purchased a 2.2 acre property from Henry Davis and erected a small frame church and called it Mt. Vernon A. M. E.
Years later the congregation, through the“ Miles of Nickels” campaign, raised money for a new church building.
In 1921 a new brick building replaced the original frame structure at 913 E. Calhoun Street. This building is the one still standing today. This church was built in the Gothic Revival Style. At one point the membership of the church was recorded to be at 500.
Four members- Nancy M.“ The Yellow Rose” Taylor, Ruth C. Evans, Bernadine Taylor and Mary L. Birdow – have been noted as being instrumental in bringing recognition to the church as an important historic and cultural landmark.
The church received a historical marker in 1986.
Mortar deterioration has begun on the west side of the historical church, with bricks beginning to fall out of place.
Mt. Vernon AME Church was built in the Gothic Revival Style in 1921.
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