Two plaques at the site of the First African Methodist Episcopal Church building at 8th St. and Towne Ave. with a pictorial image of the church building, and providing a brief history of the A.M.E. and the church's designation as a Los Angeles cultural heritage landmark, and information about the ministers of the church at that time.
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.
Nineteen African American women and three men stand in a semi-circle around a plaque dedicating First African Methodist Episcopal Church as a cultural heritage landmark. The street is visible in the background with cars and store fronts.
Miriam Matthews, sister of businesswoman Ella Matthews and lawyer Charles Matthews, was hired in 1927 as the first African American librarian in the Los Angeles Public Library. Matthews was also a civil rights activist, historian, and collector of African American art and primary source materials.
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.
