First African Methodist Episcopal Church of Los Angeles, Methodist church in West Adams district, Los Angeles, United States.
The First African Methodist Episcopal Church is a church building in the West Adams district completed in 1968 with raised foundations and stucco exterior walls. Decorative murals adorn the west-facing side between the bay sections, giving the building a distinctive character.
The congregation was founded in 1872 by formerly enslaved Biddy Mason, who started worship gatherings in her living room on Spring Street. It grew to become the first church of its kind serving the African American population in Los Angeles before moving to this purpose-built structure.
The name reflects the Methodist tradition and the African American community's presence in Los Angeles since the mid-1800s. You can sense this heritage in how the building serves as a gathering space for worship and community action.
The building sits in an accessible neighborhood with good public transportation connections and nearby parking options. Plan your visit around regular service times or community events to experience the building when it is in active use.
A benefactor named John Factor provided crucial funding for the building's construction, allowing the congregation to realize its vision when resources were severely limited. His contribution turned a struggling building campaign into a realized project.
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