Guide to the First African Methodist Episcopal Church (Oakland, Calif.) Collection

Jennifer Pickens

African American Museum & Library at Oakland

659 14th Street

Oakland, California 94612

Phone: (510) 637-0198

Fax: (510) 637-0204

Email: aamlo@oaklandlibrary.org

URL: http://www.oaklandlibrary.org/locations/african-american-museum-library-oakland

Guide to the First African Methodist Episcopal Church (Oakland, Calif.) Collection

Collection number: MS 173

African American Museum & Library at Oakland

Oakland, California

Processed by:: Jennifer Pickens
Date Completed:: 2014-12-31
Encoded by:: Jennifer Pickens

Descriptive Summary

Title: First African Methodist Episcopal Church (Oakland, Calif.) collection

Dates: 1922-2015

Bulk Dates: bulk 1950s-1970s

Collection number: MS 173

Creator: First African Methodist Episcopal Church (Oakland, Calif.)

Creator: East Bay Negro Historical Society

Collection Size: 2 linear feet (3 boxes + 1 oversized box)

Repository: African American Museum & Library at Oakland (Oakland, Calif.)

Oakland, CA 94612

Abstract: The First African Methodist Episcopal Church of Oakland began in 1858, and is the first and oldest African American church in the East Bay. The First African Methodist Episcopal Church (Oakland, Calif.) Collection includes administrative records, correspondence, church service bulletins, events programs, photographs, and collected newspaper clippings.

Languages: Languages represented in the collection: English

Access

No access restrictions. Collection is open to the public.

Access Restrictions

Materials are for use in-library only, non-circulating.

Publication Rights

Permission to publish from the First African Methodist Episcopal Church (Oakland, Calif.) Collection must be obtained from the African American Museum & Library at Oakland.

Preferred Citation

First African Methodist Episcopal Church (Oakland, Calif.) collection, MS 173, African American Museum & Library at Oakland, Oakland Public Library. Oakland, California.

Processing Information

Processed by Jennifer Pickens on December 31, 2014.

Acquisition Information

Accession 2014-028 was donated to the African American Museum & Library at Oakland by the First African Methodist Episcopal Church of Oakland in September 2014. Accession 2014-027 was collected by the East Bay Negro Historical Society.

Biography / Administrative History

The First African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church of Oakland was the first African American church to be founded in the East Bay, and the only one in Oakland for more than three decades. It was the first school for minorities in Oakland, since only white children were allowed to attend public schools at this time. The A.M.E. Church also acted as the cultural center of the African American community, hosting not only the first church and school, but social and political clubs, events, and festivals. The First A.M.E. Church of Oakland began in 1858 by a small group of Oakland residents, and is the oldest African American church in Oakland. The church founders purchased the Carpenter School House in 1863, which became the first church building. At this time the church was called Shiloh A.M.E. Church, and it also acted as a school for minorities; the teacher was one of the A.M.E. church founders, Elizabeth Flood. In 1884, Reverend James Grisby led the congregation to a larger church building on 15th Street in Oakland, known as the Fifteenth Street Church. In 1949, Reverend H. Solomon Hill became pastor, and in 1954, led the congregation to a new church building at 3701 Telegraph Avenue, where it was renamed the First African Methodist Episcopal Church. Since then, the church has been renovated and improved numerous times, notably surviving the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake.

Senior pastors of the First A.M.E. Church of Oakland:

Reverend John Lane 1863-1874
Reverend J.B. Sanderson 1874-1884
Reverend James Grisby 1884-1896
Reverend J. Alen Viney 1896-1900
Reverend Oscar E. Jones 1900-1910
Reverend F. Jesse Peck 1910-1915
Reverend J.M. Brown 1915-1922
Reverend Nelson Pryor 1922-1927
Reverend T. Dean Scott 1927-1932
Reverend Daniel G. Hill 1932-1943
Reverend Pearl Bryant 1943-1945
Reverend Justus E. Roberts 1945-1949
Reverend Dr. H. Solomon Hill 1949-1960
Reverend J. Russell Brown 1960-1971
Reverend Edward S. Foust 1971-1977
Reverend George R. Reid 1977-1981
Reverend L. Fisher Hines 1981-1986
Reverend Dr. Frederick Ormonde Murph 1986-1996
Reverend Dr. Harold R. Mayberry 1996-

Scope and Content of Collection

The First African Methodist Episcopal Church (Oakland, Calif.) Collection includes administrative records, correspondence, church service bulletins, events programs, photographs, and collected newspaper clippings. Administrative records consist of the Lay Organization by-laws, meeting minutes, patron lists and financial reports. Correspondence consists of informational letters to church members, memos and reports to and from various church reverends, and collected papers of Conference Branch President Minnie Fletcher. Photographs are of bishops, pastors, and members of the church, including numerous posed, large group shots of choir members and the congregation with the presiding reverend, and images of church building interiors and exteriors. The collection is arranged into seven series: history, correspondence, minutes of the Banquet Committee meetings, Lay Organization, Relocation Services scrapbook, published material, photographs, and clippings. The collection gives an overview of religious history in Oakland for more than a century, including details about social functions and services that the church provided to the community, and is a resource for those studying religion in the African American community in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Arrangement

Series I: History Series II: Correspondence Series III: Minutes of the Banquet Committee meetings. 1931 Series IV: Lay Organization. circa 1960 Series V: Relocation Services scrapbook. 1954 Series VI: Published material Series VII: Photographs Series VIII: Clippings

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

First African Methodist Episcopal Church (Oakland, Calif.)

African American churches--California.

Oakland (Calif.)--History.

African Americans--California--History.

African Methodist Episcopal Church--History.

History

Physical Description: 1 folder

Series Scope and Content Summary

Published histories and notes written by various church reverends and members, compiled by the East Bay Negro Historical Society and the First A.M.E. Church of Oakland.

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically

Box 1:1

A Synopsis of the Early History of the Church; transcript of speech by Lydia Flood Jackson presented at Pioneer Day Program 1940-06-23

Box 1:1

Map of Northern California African Methodist Episcopal Churches and locations 1943

Box 1:1

Clipping from a Centennial Souvenir Program about Reverend H. Solomon Hill 1958

Box 1:1

History of the Oakland First A.M.E. Church undated

Box 1:1

Display card for exhibit on the 1902 First A.M.E. Church undated

Box 1:1

Research paper excerpt on the First A.M.E. Church in Oakland undated

Box 1:1

Typed note referring to a history of the First A.M.E. church written by Lydia Flood Jackson in the Library of University of California undated

Box 1:1

Article written by Rev. H. Solomon Hill about First A.M.E. Church founder Richard Allen, titled "In Which the Customers Do the Work: The Slave Who Converted His Master" undated

Box 1:1

Typed note about Rev. O. E. Jones undated

Box 1:1

Photocopy of an article titled "Expansion of the First African Methodist Episcopal Church of Oakland, California" undated

Box 1:1

Typed note about a 1913 meeting of the State Federation of Colored Women's Clubs at First A.M.E. Church of Oakland undated

Box 1:1

History of the First A.M.E. Church on church letterhead undated

Box 1:1

Biographical Sketch of Dr. Frederick O. Murph undated

Correspondence

Physical Description: 2 folders

Series Scope and Content Summary

Series consists of correspondence to church members from Reverend J. Russell Brown and Rev. H. Solomon Hill, and memos and reports to and from various church reverends. Included is a subfolder of correspondence to Minnie Fletcher and collected papers, circa 1930-1936.

Arrangement

Arranged by subject

Box 1:2

Memo by Reverend J. Russell Brown regarding Men’s Day 1964 theme, speaker, and financial goal 1964

Box 1:2

Postcard to Mr. and Mrs. Eugene P. Lasartemay from Rev. J. Russell Brown 1962

Box 1:2

Letter to church members from Board of Trustees, Renovation Committee, and the Pastor 1965

Box 1:2

Renovation Committee Report 1967

Box 1:2

Correspondence from Rev. H. Solomon Hill about the Annual Conference program 1960

Box 1:2

Letter to church members from Pioneer Families' Day Committee 1954

Box 1:3

Handwritten letter to Minnie Fletcher from Dot 1930

Box 1:3

Letter addressed to “co-workers” from Sada J. Anderson (Cleveland, Ohio) on Woman’s Parent Mite Missionary Society letterhead 1933

Box 1:3

Letter to Minnie Fletcher from Sada J. Anderson on Woman’s Parent Mite Missionary Society letterhead 1934

Box 1:3

District Missionary Bulletin 1936

Box 1:3

Handwritten letter to Minnie Fletcher with a list of elected officers from E. Foreman 1936

Box 1:3

Letter to Minnie Fletcher from Christine S. Smith on Woman’s Parent Mite Missionary Society letterhead 1936

Box 1:3

Trustees of Western University School of Religion undated

Box 1:3

Letter to Minnie Fletcher from Christine S. Smith on Woman’s Parent Mite Missionary Society letterhead 1936

Box 1:3

Handwritten letter addressed to “friend” from E. M. Miller on Avery Chapel A.M.E. Church (Oklahoma City, OK) letterhead undated

Box 1:4

Minutes of the Banquet Committee meetings 1931

Physical Description: 1 folder

Series Scope and Content Summary

Series is a single notebook of handwritten minutes of Banquet Committee meetings in July and August of 1931.

Box 1:5

Lay Organization circa 1960

Physical Description: 1 folder

Series Scope and Content Summary

Series is a report compiled by the California Conference Lay Organization. Contents: Constitution and By-Laws of the Fifth Episcopal District; photographs of the President, reverends, and members; outline for an evangelism project; transcript of a message delivered by R.J. Reynolds; list of churches and pastors of the California Annual Conference Districts – 1959-60; California Conference Lay Organization Roster of Officers and proposed budget 1959; list of Bishops of the A.M.E. Church; list of sessions of the A.M.E. General Conferences; list of all Bishops in the 1956 General Conference; History of the California Conference of the A.M.E. Church; list of colleges and universities; General Conference Program, May 4-16, 1960, in Los Angeles; patrons list; and a personal note of appreciation from William J. Gillette.

Box 4

Relocation Services scrapbook 1958

Physical Description: 1 box

Series Scope and Content Summary

Series is a phonograph record album repurposed as a scrapbook for the 1954 Relocation Services, when the church moved from the Fifteenth Street location to Telegraph Avenue. Inside front cover has portraits of Dr. H. Solomon Hill, Director of the Senior Choir Dr. F.E. Younge, M.D., and Organist Grace Jefferson with brief biographies of each. All but one of the pages that had been attached has come loose but appears to have been stapled or taped inside. The attached page includes portraits of the Senior Choir, picturing: Helen Johnson, Eva Wyands, Myrtle Dwight, Hazel Merchant, Helen Clark, Constance Clark, Ida Smith, Hope Phillips, Shirley Sellers, Myrtle Dunson, Vivian Kent, Bernice Proctor, Corine Osby, Patricia Thomas, Melba Woods, Elnora Anderson, Mrs. Earl Powell, William Anderson, Katie Anderson, Earl Powell, Jerline Johnson, Eleanor Ramey, and Senior Choir President Zilica Foster Williams. Also on this page, there is a snapshot of the Gatliffs with a brief paragraph honoring their service to the Church, and an illustration of a crown with five portraits of Stewardess’, picturing Nellie Ross, Virginia Morris, Delphine Anderson, A. Dance, and Minnie Johnson. Verso of this page includes snapshots of Dr. Hill congratulating the Hortons after their marriage, and instructing a class in African Methodism. Also pictured is a wedding party at a reception in the ladies’ lounge, and the bridal party and wedding reception of the Howards. The remaining page is trifold; the first page includes portraits of Beatrice Woods, Clora Bradd, Robertha Wells, Irene Jacobs, Lillian Kenkikorian, and Michael H. Jacobs. A photograph of the Primary Department of the Sunday School, picturing: J. Carter II, Barbara Lynn Bruce, Melvyn J. Beck, Barbara Jean Freeman, Billy Jean Jefferson, Yolanda James, Linn Jones, Arthur Hill, Arthur Charles Levy, Vanester Miller, Winona Edwards, Leslie Carlyle, Joseph Ramey, Gus Hill. A photograph of the Allen Stars, picturing: Gloria Jean Johnson, Barbara Jean Cooper, Marion M. Thomas. A photograph of the Intermediate Department, picturing: Gregory Brooks, Ray Jean Miller, James Freeman, Walter Hill, Lillian Keikihane, Gardin Baranco, Skeets Anderson. A photograph of the Junior Department, picturing: Charles Bursey, Bobby Waugh, Gracie N. Veesee, Laverne Freeman, Ricky Jones, Jimmy Jones, Thomas Miller. Verso of this page has portraits of Reverend H. Solomon Hill, Mattie Dickson, Sarah DeShirley Friend, Mary McCarey, Ann Miller, Macy Brooks, Irene Ferguson, E.A. Johnson, Estelle Eads, John Kent, Bernice Harris, and Reverend Horace Gholston. Included on this page is a photograph of the congregation entering the new church building, and two interior shots of the auditorium with members of the congregation seated. Inside the trifold are portraits of Cathryn Anderson, Prince Lawson Sr., Candace Saddler, Ellen Johnson, Odessa Eugene, Ruby Suter, Genivie Thomas, J.M. Strait, and Julia Taylor. Included is an image of the congregation standing in prayer. The inner trifold has portraits of Irma Vallee, Madame J.C. Mays-Peterson, Mattie Johnson, Dr. Frances M. Nelson, Sadie Gwyn, Sergeant Middleton W. Saddler, and Ethel Matthews. Also on this fold-out page is a collage of handwritten quotes. The back cover is an advertisement for Jackson Funeral Home.

Published material

Physical Description: 22 folders

Series Scope and Content Summary

Series consists of newsletters, church service bulletins, events programs, conference and pastoral reports, community resource directories, and ephemera published by the First A.M.E. Church of Oakland.

Arrangement

Arranged by format

Newsletters and patron lists

Box 1:6

The Christian Register v.1 n.7, September 1923, pages 1 and 2 [reproduction] 1923

Box 1:6

Messenger February 3, 1935

Box 1:6

Messenger September 21, 1941

Box 1:6

Messenger June 19, 1955

Box 1:6

The Voice newsletter with members’ donations list March 29, 1972

Box 1:6

Church newsletter, The Voice April 9, 1972

Box 1:6

Steward Board bulletin, volume 2, series 8. Business Directory 1947

Box 1:6

List of donors and individual donations March 1963

Box 1:6

List of Patrons: Calendar Tea April 9, 1972

Box 1:6

Patrons list undated

Church service bulletins

Box 1:7

Church service bulletins 1947-1979 (bulk 1979)

Box 1:8

Church service bulletins 1980-1988

Box 1:9

Church service bulletins 1992-1999

Box 1:10

Church service bulletins 2000-2015

Box 1:11

The Intercultural Interfaith Fellowship church service bulletins 1970, 1979

Events programs

Box 2:1

First A.M.E. Dedication of Renovated Edifice 1969

Box 2:1

Fifth Episcopal District Educational Chautauqua 1955

Box 2:1

Seventy-ninth Session California Conference 1943

Box 2:1

The California Conference 110th Session 1974

Box 2:1

Cornerstone Laying & Dedication Services 1992

Box 2:1

Church Mortgage Burning Ceremony 1974

Box 2:1

Women’s Missionary Society California Conference Branch annual convention 1965

Box 2:1

Souvenir program for Relocation Service and Dedication Service 1954

Box 2:1

Inspirational Community Guild Tea 1960

Box 2:1

Connectional Laymens Organization 65th Session 1957

Box 2:1

William Hannibal Means in Concert 1974

Box 2:1

Come and Worship with Marion 1963

Box 2:1

Recital featuring Mrs. Katie R. Lewis 1975

Box 2:1

Program for Jessie Coles Grayson presented by the Women’s Council 1936

Box 2:1

History of the Negro in Music presented by the Men’s Club undated

Box 2:1

Pioneer Day 1940

Box 2:2

Unveiling Service of the $8000 Pipe Organ and Week of Music [reproduction] 1926

Box 2:2

First Annual King and Queen Coronation 1965

Box 2:2

The Usher Boards Second Anniversary 1956

Box 2:2

Dine-O-Rama Banquet 1962

Box 2:2

Revival 2007

Box 2:2

Celebration of a New Year 2007

Box 2:2

Installation of Officers 2008

Box 2:2

Witness in the Word Week undated

Box 2:2

Centennial Souvenir Program 1958

Box 2:2

Cornerstone Laying and Dedication Services 1992

Box 2:2

Women’s Day 1992

Box 2:2

Organ Recital by Ruth Dean 1952

Box 2:2

Inspirational Community Guild 3rd Annual Historical Tea 1956

Box 2:2

Portrait Tea circa 1965

Box 2:2

Organ Chancel Improvement Dedication Services 1963

Box 2:2

The Youth Fellowship of the First A. M. E. church presents A Baby Contest 1970

Box 2:2

“A Peek at an Angel” Debutante Tea 1972

Box 2:2

Church Mortgage Burning Ceremony 1974

Box 2:2

Annual Palm Sunday Breakfast 1980

Box 2:2

Wednesday Morning Choral Club presents A Christmas Choral Program 1980

Box 2:2

Jubilee Singers of Fisk University October 22, 2000

Box 2:2

The California Conference Ministerial Alliance Celebrating the Legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 2002

Box 2:2

Lay Organization and Melba B. Woods Women Missionary Society present A Prayer Breakfast 2003

Box 2:2

Closing Worship and Commissioning Service, 139th Session of the California Annual Conference 2003

Box 2:3

Waymaker’s Club 4th Annual Appreciation Dinner 1979

Box 2:3

Pastor’s Appreciation Celebration 2005

Box 2:3

10th Appreciation Celebration Luncheon 2006

Box 2:4

The Gospel Choir presents Chester Russelle in Concert 1965

Box 2:4

The Gospel Choir presents their 3rd Annual Calendar Tea 1972

Box 2:4

Eighteenth Anniversary Gospel Choir 1965

Box 2:4

25th Anniversary Gospel Choir 1972

Box 2:4

Chancel Choir presents James Gillis and Robert Morris in concert 1984

Box 2:5

Eightieth Anniversary of the church souvenir program [reproduction] 1938

Box 2:5

140th Church Anniversary Celebration 1998

Box 2:5

143rd Church Anniversary Celebration 2001

Box 2:6

The Frederick Ormonde Murph Mass Choir presents its 20th Annual Galaxy of Stars in Song 1993

Box 2:6

The Frederick Ormonde Murph Mass Choir presents its 21st Annual Galaxy of Stars in Song 1994

Box 2:6

The Frederick Ormonde Murph Mass Choir presents its 22nd Annual Galaxy of Stars in Song 1995

Box 2:6

The Frederick Ormonde Murph Mass Choir presents its 23rd Annual Galaxy of Stars in Song 1996

Box 2:6

Voices of FAME presents A Galaxy of Stars 25th Anniversary 1998

Box 2:6

The 26th Annual Willa C. McGee Galaxy of Stars presented by the Voices of FAME 1999

Box 2:7

The 27th Annual Willa C. McGee Galaxy of Stars presented by the Music Department 2000

Box 2:6

The 29th Annual Willa C. McGee Galaxy of Stars presented by the Voices of the FAME Choir 2002

Box 2:6

The 30th Annual Willa C. McGee Galaxy of Stars presented by the Voices of the FAME Choir 2003

Box 2:6

The 34th Annual Willa C. McGee Galaxy of Stars presented by the Voices of the FAME Choir 2007

Box 2:6

Rev. Cheryl Denise Ward celebrating 35 years in ministry 2014

Conference reports

Box 3:1

Conference Year Planning Guides 1990-2005

Box 3:2

Annual Conference Reports 1991-1997

Box 3:3

Quarterly Conference Financial Reports 1957-2007

Box 3:4

Annual Pastoral Reports 1997-2007

Box 3:5

FAME Christian Academy Schedule of Classes 2005-2006

Women's Mite Missionary Society

Box 3:6

The Sarah Allen W.M.M.S. officers and agenda 1938

Box 3:6

Year Book of Sarah Allen Women's Mite Missionary Society 1938

Box 3:6

Women’s Mite Missionary Society California Conference Branch monthly program for auxiliary societies 1922-23

Box 3:6

Women’s Mite Missionary Society California Conference Branch annual convention program 1936

Box 3:7

Resource Directory 2004

Ephemera

Box 3:8

Annual financial report 2010

Box 3:8

Women's Day Services flyer 1972

Box 3:8

Women's Day Services flyer 1973

Box 3:8

March for Jesus Unity Rally flyer 1993

Box 3:8

Lay Organization brochure 2003-2004

Box 3:8

Men on a Mission Weekend flyer 2005

Box 3:8

142nd Annual Session of the California Conference visitor's information 2006

Box 3:8

Spring Revival flyer 2006

Box 3:8

Book Drive flyer 2007

Box 3:8

The A.M.E. Church Structure and the Role of the Episcopal Committee Workshop flyer 2007

Box 3:9

Welcome Visitors brochure 2000

Box 3:9

Welcome Visitors church information flyers and sermon on CD 2006

Box 3:9

Brochure and ticket stub for The Meeting: A One Act Play 2004

Box 3:9

Funeral service program for Lottie Isabell Richards 1958

Box 3:9

Funeral service program for Anna Sereptha Hill 1967

Box 3:9

Invitation for East Africa (Kenya): Its People and its Culture symposium 1960

Box 3:9

Invitation for The Waymakers Club Fifth Recognition Dinner honoring William Byron Rumford 1980

Box 3:9

Invitation for Reception honoring the marriage of Reverend Dr. Harold R. Mayberry and Mary Mayo-Mayberry 1997

Box 3:9

Annual Debt Retirement Drive pledge card undated

Box 3:9

Offering envelope undated

Box 3:9

Tithing commitment card circa 1980s

Box 3:9

Tithing Commitment card undated

Box 3:9

Napkins from 140th Church Anniversary Homecoming Day dinner 1998

Box 3:9

Souvenir ribbons, 140th Church Anniversary 1998

Box 3:9

Souvenir bookmarks, 140th Church Anniversary 1998

Box 3:9

Help Our Children! Call to boycott and meeting information undated

Box 3:9

Poster for 29th Annual Galaxy of Stars 2002

Box 3:9

Souvenir journal advertisement agreement for 29th Annual Galaxy of Stars 2002

Photographs

Physical Description: 47 photographs

Series Scope and Content Summary

Series consists of photographs of bishops, pastors, and members of the First A.M.E. Church of Oakland, including numerous posed, large group shots of choir members and the congregation with the presiding reverend. Also includes images of church building interiors and exteriors, including documentation of damage and repairs after the Loma Prieta earthquake of 1989.

Arrangement

Arranged by photograph identification number

Box 3:10

Loose leaf page of photographs: Portrait of J.E. Edwards, B.D., First A.M.E. Church, Oakland, California. Exterior of First A.M.E. Church, Fifteenth Street, Oakland, California [001] undated

Box 3:10

Fifteenth Street Church pastor, choirs, Board of Directors, and congregation [002] 1952

Box 3:10

Choir entering church sanctuary [003]. Attached note: "October 1978. Oakland, California. Rev. George Ransom Reid, Pastor" 1978

Box 3:10

Renovation after 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake on church exterior [004] circa 1990

Box 3:10

Newly restored exterior with scaffolding. Side view of church [005] circa 1991

Box 3:10

Renovated pulpit and choir loft. North wall after repairs [006] circa 1991

Box 3:10

Side view of church exterior with partial view of roof. South side of the church exterior with refurbished way-side pulpit [007] circa 1991

Box 3:10

Church sanctuary [008]. Attached note: "August 1992. Oakland, California. Rev. Frederick O. Murph, Pastor." 1992

Box 3:10

Photograph of a drawing of the First A. M. E. Church building and first schoolhouse for minorities [009] 1954

Box 3:10

Dedication plaque on church column [010] 1958

Box 3:10

Two senior choirs of past years [011] circa 1958

Box 3:10

Senior choir posed in church sanctuary. Pictured: Reverend H. Solomon Hill, Director F.E. Younge, Organist Grace Jefferson, Presiding Elder T.A. Patterson, Pierre Roan, Dewitt Perkins, Earl Powell, Herbert Roan, Corrine Osby, Pha Edwards, Stella Mae Douglas, Will Hickerson, Ormonde Wilson, Solomon P. Hill, Thelma Watson, Miss T. Watson, Rosa Powell, Myrtle Dwight, Mrs. Willie Sharpe, Elizabeth Matthews Bernice Proctor, Carol Smith, Ella Averett, and President Johanna Longley [012] 1949

Box 3:10

Church service pictured from above, showing pastor, choir, and first few rows of the congregation [013] circa 1950s

Box 3:10

Tom Thumb Wedding. Pictured: LaVerne Freeman, Roy Jean Miller, Gloria Johnson, Barbara Freeman, Vann Miller, James Freeman, and fifteen other unidentified children [014] circa 1950s

Box 3:10

Church building, front view [015] circa 1980s

Box 3:10

Church building with scaffolding, front view [016] circa 1990

Box 3:10

Church building, front view [017] undated

Box 3:10

Group of children assembled in church hall with adult church members standing in aisles and rear [018] circa 1950s

Box 3:10

Church interior from above, with 100th Anniversary banner over the pulpit [019] 1958

Box 3:10

Gospel choir with pastor. Pictured: James Butler, Edna Smith, Eva Barnes, Bertie Mack, Willie Waller, Toy Turney, William Waller, Susan Brownfield, Mary McAdoo Cook, Charles Cook, Joseph Henry, Robert Butler, Bessie Lewis, Mattie Hill, Gladys Freeman, Reverend H. Solomon Hill, Pianist Bennie Perry, Rachael Cox Battiste, Julia Ella Munn, Flora Fisher, Henrietta Douglas, and Eunice Crews [020] 1949

Box 3:10

Henrietta Douglas, Birdie Mack, Willa Howard, Mrs. Barnes, Gladys Freeman, and other unidentified adults seated at dining table in Walker Hall [021] 1956

Box 3:10

Group of unidentified women standing in line [022] 1956

Box 3:10

Six women seated at dining table [023] circa 1950s

Box 3:10

Group of adults posed standing outside with two boys in front [024] circa 1950s

Box 3:10

Rev. and Mrs. H. Solomon Hill and sons Solomon Paisley Hill, Henry Alexander Hill, Walter Andrew Hill, Augustus Ormonde Hill, and John Dickson Hill [025] circa 1950s

Box 3:10

Portraits of Reverend H. Solomon Hill, Reverend J. Russell Brown, and Reverend Edward Sneed Foust [026] undated

Box 3:10

Photographic reprint of page 12 from the 1958 Centennial Souvenir Program. Photos: Stewards Board, picturing Reverend H. Solomon Hill, Andy Smith, Charles Cook, W.O. Matthews, T.E.A. McCurdy, James Butler, Floyd Randolph, Ormonde Wilson, Phil Johnson, Joseph Butler, Ed Lewis, Willie Griffin, Charles Jones, J.S. Walker. Portrait of Reverend Nelson Pryor. Portrait of Reverend D.G. Hill [027] undated

Box 3:10

Group portrait in the church sanctuary. Pictured: Bishop R.R. Wright, Reverend H. Solomon Hill, and three unidentified adults [028] undated

Box 3:10

Reverend H. Solomon Hill with three unidentified men [029] undated

Box 3:10

Gospel choir posing with Reverend J. Russell Brown in the church sanctuary [030] 1963

Box 3:10

Group of children posed for the Annual Tom Thumb Wedding [031] 1957

Box 3:10

Portrait of Reverend Edward S. Foust [032] circa 1960s

Box 3:10

Portrait of Reverend J. Russell Brown [033] circa 1960s

Box 3:10

Reverend George R. Reid seated at desk [034]. Handwritten on back: "Died 1994 Rev Reid" circa 1980s

Box 3:10

Portrait of Trustee Raymond Richards beside donated commercial range [035] 1954

Box 3:10

Destruction to church exterior, right side view, after Loma Prieta earthquake [036] circa 1989-1990

Box 3:10

Destruction and repairs to church exterior, right side view, after Loma Prieta earthquake [037] circa 1989-1990

Box 3:10

Repairs to church exterior, front and left side view, after Loma Prieta earthquake [038] circa 1989-1990

Box 3:10

Destruction to church exterior, right corner view, after Loma Prieta earthquake [039] circa 1989-1990

Box 3:10

Church building interior under construction [040] circa 1990

Box 3:10

Mass choir of First A. M. E. Annual Conference [041] 1992

Box 3:10

Polaroid snapshot of Reverend Frederick O. Murph [042] undated

Box 3:10

Reverend Frederick O. Murph posed with church members [043] circa late 1980s-early 1990s

Box 3:10

Reverend Frederick O. Murph posed with church members wearing all white clothing with purple sashes [044] circa late 1980s-early 1990s

Box 3:10

Six unidentified adults posed outside church building [045] 1998

Box 3:10

Front and left side exterior of Pioneer Memorial Methodist Church [046] circa early 1950s

Box 3:10

Congregation posed in front of 15th Street church with a sign welcoming the 89th Annual Session California Conference [047] 1953

Box 3:11

Clippings 1935-2008

Physical Description: 1 folder

Series Scope and Content Summary

Series consists of newspaper and magazine clippings about the First A.M.E. Church. Also included are transcriptions of newspaper clippings.

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically