State Street AME Zion Church facts for kids

State Street AME Zion Church
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
State Street AME Zion Church in 2009
Location in Alabama Show map of Alabama Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Location	502 State Street Mobile, Alabama, United States
Built	1854
Architectural style	Romanesque
NRHP reference No.	78000505
Quick facts for kids Significant dates
Added to NRHP	September 06, 1978

State Street African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church is a historic African American church in Mobile, Alabama. It is the oldest documented Methodist church building in Alabama. It is also one of two African American churches founded in the Methodist tradition in Mobile prior to the American Civil War.

History

The church was founded in 1829 as the African Church of the City of Mobile, a mission of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. The original building burned and the current building was erected in 1854. By 1855 the church had a congregation of 550 members, making it one of the most successful African American churches in Alabama. Following the Civil War, the congregation joined the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. The Methodist Episcopal Church South then challenged the right of the congregation to occupy the building. Under the leadership of their second minister, Wilbur G. Strong, the congregation obtained legal title to the building in 1872. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 6, 1978, due to its architectural and historic significance.