Laying of the cornerstone of People's Independent Church of Christ, Los Angeles, 1916

Title: Laying of the cornerstone of People's Independent Church of Christ, Los Angeles, 1916
Alternative title: People's Independent Church, Los Angeles
Date Created: November 26, 1916
Date: 1916-11-26
Collection: Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections

Description: J. H. Shackelford was a prominent civic leader in Los Angeles. A businessman and real estate broker, he served as president of the local NAACP
N. P. Greggs came to Los Angeles around 1913 to accept the pastorate of the A. M. E. Church. Two years later he left that church, with forty-seven members, to found the People’s Independent Church on October 2, 1915.
Founded in 1915, the Peoples Independent Church of Christ was created when 47 members split from First A. M. E. Church.
Founding members of the People's Independent Church gathered on Thanksgiving day for the laying of the cornerstone of the first church building at 1025 E. 18th St. (and Paloma St.). Reverend N. P. Greggs (center), J. H. Shackelford (right of Greggs) are present. A kettle hangs from a tripod in the foreground. The cornerstone, with "The People's Independent Church of Christ 1916" inscribed on it, is hanging from ropes suspended from a tripod. In the far background adults and children watch the event.
Caption: Written on back of photo: Laying of cornerstone of People's Independent Church of Christ / See J. H. and Leon at corner

Genre: photographs
Names: People's Independent Church of Christ (Los Angeles, Calif.)
Greggs, N. P. (Napoleon Payne), 1881-1935
Shackelford, J. H. (James Harrison), 1875-1972
Subject Geographic: Los Angeles (Calif.)
Longitude: 34.026246
Latitude: -118.251813
Resource type: still image
Subjects: African American civic leaders
African American clergy
African American churches
African American businesspeople
Cornerstone laying