Praying Grounds: African American Faith Communities

St. John AME (African Methodist Episcopal) Church

St. John's AME Church
St. John AME Church, 1973.

St. John AME (African Methodist Episcopal) Church is the oldest African American religious institution in the city of Cleveland, Ohio. Organized by former slaves and chartered in 1836, the institution continues to play an active role in the life of the community surrounding its present home at East 40th Street and Central Avenue. Cleveland State University’s Cleveland Press Collection contains numerous clippings and photographs related to the church and its various programs. Many of these are now available on line as part of Praying Grounds: A Documentary and Oral History project.

More about St. John AME Church, from the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History