St. John African Methodist Episcopal Church, Topeka, Kansas (1868- )

“Image Ownership: 25or6to4 (CC BY-SA 4.0)” St. John African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church in Topeka, Kansas was officially organized in 1877 when it was chartered by Reverend John M. Wilkerson of the Missouri African Methodist Episcopal Conference.  In 1868, nine years before the charter, however, … Read MoreSt. John African Methodist Episcopal Church, Topeka, Kansas (1868- )

First African Methodist Episcopal Church, Seattle, Washington (1886- )

Established in 1886 when Washington was still a territory, the First African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church in Seattle, Washington is the state’s oldest black church.  Initially, members began by meeting in each other’s homes.  These meetings eventually led to the opening of a home based … Read MoreFirst African Methodist Episcopal Church, Seattle, Washington (1886- )

T. McCants Stewart (1853-1923)

Teacher, author, clergyman, and civil rights leader, Thomas McCants Stewart was born in Charleston, South Carolina on December 28, 1853,  to George Gilchrist and Anna Morris Stewart.  Young Stewart attended the Avery Normal Institute before enrolling in Howard University in 1869. Although only fifteen when … Read MoreT. McCants Stewart (1853-1923)