Washington Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church - St. Louis, Missouri
Posted by: 
BruceS
N 38° 38.257 W 090° 13.281
15S E 741851 N 4280227
Historic church built in 1880, now home to Washington Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church which was founded in 1865.
Waymark Code: WMNC7
Location: Missouri, United States
Date Posted: 08/25/2006
Views: 33
"The church was constructed by the Union Methodist Church, which began as
Ebenezer Chapel, organized in the 1840s by congregants of the Methodist Church,
who were left without a congregation when pro-slavery members seceded in favor
of the Methodist Church South. Ebenezer Chapel was abolitionist and included
slaves and free blacks among its congregation. Union Methodist Church was
organized in 1862, and named to show its loyalty to the Union. In 1915, the
church building and parsonage was acquired by the Washington Metropolitan
African Methodist Episcopal Church, formed ca. 1865 as part of the African
Methodist Episcopal Church. In the early 1900s, it became part of the
African Methodist Episcopal Zion denomination, and was re-named Washington
Metropolitan after its pastor, Rev. Jeremiah M. Washington. Although the
congregation occupied several buildings for short periods of time prior to the
purchase of this church, they have served the African American community at this
location continuously for 90 years." ~ from recommendation for as National
Historic Registry nomination
The building was damaged substantially in a 1911 fire however the limestone
walls remained standing and the building was reconstructed within them.
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