Elmer Bartlett playing the pipe organ at the First African Methodist Episcopal Church, Los Angeles, 1920s

Title: Elmer Bartlett playing the pipe organ at the First African Methodist Episcopal Church, Los Angeles, 1920s
Alternative title: First A.M.E. Church choir
Date Created: [1920s]
Date: 1920/1930
Collection: Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections

Description: Elmer Bartlett was a highly acclaimed choir director and organist. Churches where he worked in include the First African Methodist Episcopal Church in Los Angeles. He received several awards in the course of his career including first prize for directing the Los Angeles AME's choir at a 1926 choir competition at the Hollywood Bowl. By 1940 he had moved to Elgin Illinois. He continued to direct choirs and play the organ for various A.M.E. churches.
First African Methodist Episcopal Church, Los Angeles, is the oldest church founded by African Americans in the City of Los Angeles, dating to 1872. Biddy Mason established the church to minister to the mind, body, and soul of the community. This church served as the cornerstone of the community for spiritual growth, social uplift, and economic development.
Elmer Bartlett seated on a bench in front of a pipe organ. Bartlett is wearing a suit.
Caption: Written on back of photo: Prof. Elmer Bartlett, organist. First A.M.E. Church, Los Angeles.

Genre: photographs
Names: African Methodist Episcopal Church (Los Angeles, Calif.)
Bartlett, Elmer C., b. 1887
Subject Geographic: Los Angeles (Calif.)
Resource type: still image
Subjects: African American choral conductors
African American churches