| Abstract: | Saint John's African Methodist Episcopal Church was the first African American church established in Cleveland, Ohio. Chartered by the African Methodist Episcopal Society in 1836, services were first held in members' homes. The first church building was dedicated in 1850. In 1908, after several moves to various church buildings in the nineteenth century, the congregation erected a new church building at East 40th Street and Central Avenue, where it remains. The collection consists of group portraits and views of groups and activities of members of Saint John's African Methodist Episcopal Church of Cleveland, Ohio. Included are photographs of choirs, Sunday School classes, and church boards. | |