The AME Church in the US was founded by Richard Allen in 1816 when he called together five African American congregations of the previously established Methodist Episcopal Church with the hope of escaping the discrimination that was commonplace in society, including churches. It was among the first denominations in the United States to be founded for this reason (rather than for theological distinctions). AME has persistently advocated for the civil and human rights of African Americans.
In 1872 Bridget “Biddy” Mason (1818–1891) helped found the First African Methodist Episcopal Church of Los Angeles (FAME). Enslaved in Mississippi, Mason had traveled with her enslaver to California in 1851 and won a landmark court case to gain freedom for herself and her daughters.
First African Methodist Episcopal Church, the oldest black congregation of any denomination in Pasadena, was founded in the fall of 1887 (one year after the founding of the city of Pasadena) in the home of Silas and Cynthia Carnahan. Under the direction of Rev. I. W. H. Nelson, the formal organization was completed in the spring of 1888. The first pastor appointed to serve the church was Rev. J. R. McClain.
Meetings were held in the Carnahan home until a site for a building was located on North Fair Oaks between Villa and Orange Grove. The church remained there for 20 years. In 1910, during the pastorate of Rev. G. W. Tillman, a lot was purchased, and a new edifice was built on the corner of Vernon Avenue and Kensington Place.
During the 1960s, the State of California purchased the church facilities for freeway construction. In 1967, under the administration of Rev. Edward P. Williams, Sr., property was purchased on North Raymond Avenue and Penn Street. In 1969, the present church building was completed and dedicated. The new church is a tribute to Rev. Edward P. Williams, Sr.
Today Rev. Dr. Larry Campbell serves the congregation and is also the president of the IMA—the Interdenominational Ministerial Association. The IMA initiated the N. Fair Oaks Empowerment Initiative which today is under the auspices of Making Housing and Community Happen (www.makinghousinghappen.org), the host of this mural.
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